‘I was given a second chance, which is why I want to commit myself to helping others.’

What was going on when you were 5 years old?

‘My parents would occasionally see me zone out at the dinner table. I had absence seizures. A form of epilepsy. I was given medication for it, but it led to acute liver failure in my case. I would fall asleep on the back of the bike, start growling at strangers, and no longer liked pizza or ice cream. Blood tests showed my liver values were dramatically poor. I had to go to Groningen immediately, to a hospital specialized in liver transplants for children. My condition deteriorated rapidly there. Doctors estimated I would only last about 48 hours on my own. A liver transplant was necessary.’

And did a liver become available in that short time?

‘Yes, quickly, but they didn't want to transplant that one into a child. The next day, a phone call came: a young child had passed away abroad, and the parents had decided to donate the organs. Those 48 hours had already passed, so it was very tense for my parents. The surgery lasted an entire night. It’s bizarrely impressive that they can do that. The transplant was successful, and it was an incredibly emotional moment when my parents heard my little voice say “mama”.’

How did things go after that?

‘After the transplant, they said: you can live to be 100 with this liver. But it had a big impact. I was smaller and couldn't participate in everything. I had a need to prove myself and often had a big mouth. I had to work harder because I only had half the energy. Everyone kept saying: Wiebe, come on! That was frustrating because I wanted to go harder, but physically I couldn't. Eventually, I decided to tell people about it together with my mother. There was more understanding, but I still felt different. During school camp, for example, I had to sleep at my mother's campsite. At 12, I got the explanation for my fatigue. It turned out I had a very rare metabolic disease, Alpers' disease. That was the source of the liver failure.’

How did you get through the rest of your school years?

‘High school was exhausting. Because of my lower energy, I didn't go to the vwo (pre-university education) with my friends, but to the havo (senior general secondary education). I didn't have to take physics and chemistry, so I could have more rest. Later, we moved to London, where I attended an international school with smaller classes. I was able to develop myself better there. There was even a bed for me in a small room for naps during free periods. I am grateful to them for thinking along with me.’

How did you hold up?

‘Thanks to my parents. If I had worries, I could cry on their shoulders. If I needed a kick in the pants, I got one. And if I was almost crossing my limits, we had an honest conversation about it. Through the combination of level-headedness and care, I was able to do everything that was possible.’

You went on to study after that. How did that go?

‘I dove straight into student life, even though it was during the corona era. To make friends, I joined a study association and a student association. Occasionally I drank alcohol, but I often opted for 0.0 beer. I still run into this, as alcohol and nightlife play a big role in your student years.’

Were you also active outside of your studies?

‘I committed myself almost full-time to the study association. Last month, I was named a Member of Merit, someone who has made an exceptional contribution to the association. One of my strengths is connecting people and conveying ideas. I organized successful charity runs and worked for social enterprises and organizations. I was almost dead, but I was given a second chance. Anyone else could have received that liver, but I got it. That is why I want to commit myself.’

How do you see yourself now?

‘Things are going great now. I still have a need to prove myself, but I have embraced being different. I even see it as something positive now; I am proud of how I have developed. What I have achieved is already a lot for someone without a transplant, let alone for someone with a donor liver. I don't talk about it often with my family, but on the transplant anniversary, I say: today is my liver's birthday. They thought I wouldn't make it to 20 because of my metabolic disease, but I am 24 now and doing very well.’

Do you have any future plans?

‘Certainly! I am still working at social institutions and I am going to do a master's in Change Management. I want to make an impact, do something tangible in the world. I have many ideas. For example, I have a plan for a buddy system with experienced transplant recipients who support young people. That already exists in America and England. I never had an example of someone who had the same thing. I missed that, and I want to set that up.’