While developing his business plans, expat partner Erik De Meulder is also volunteering at an Alzheimer’s care home and studying photography in an effort to strike a meaningful balance in life.
Passion for photography
“At this point in my life, I’m at something of a crossroads. I have enjoyed a good career in FMCG and I want to continue working, but not full time. So I am currently establishing a consultancy business,” says Erik, a 60-year-old Belgian who divides his time between his hometown Leuven and Paris, where his wife is on assignment. “But I also want to challenge myself in new ways. I have had a very nice camera for a while but I never had a chance to learn how to use it properly. So I decided to take some courses – one in digital photography and one in portraiture.”
Giving something back
Once or twice a week, Erik also volunteers at a care home for Alzheimer’s sufferers in Belgium: “My father-in-law was a patient there until he died. We were greatly impressed by the care he received from the staff and volunteers. It was very humane and felt very personal. That’s what motivated me to give something back. So I started to volunteer…”
A fun project
“I have mainly helped maintain the garden where many of the patients take walks with their family members. I also helped to construct a wagon, which is an alternative space for patients to meditate, relax, or just eat dinner with family. Many of the patients were immediately curious about the wagon, which sits in the garden.”
Great team spirit
“There’s about 180 volunteers at the care home. Many, like me, once had a family member that suffered from Alzheimer’s. Some have worked there for a very long time and there is a great team spirit around the place, with a family feel to everything. Perhaps in the future, I can use some of my photography skills at the care home. I would love to make some black and white portraits of the patients. But first I need to get good at taking portraits!” says Erik, who admits his priority is to stay busy. “I don’t want to sit around idly. It’s not good for me! I’m very grateful that partner support from my wife’s employer has helped me to use my brain, learn new skills. That’s helped me have a better balance in my mind.”
Photo: wagon that Erik helped build at the care home
