Now, let’s dive into the heart warming story behind the Friesio Foundation.
The foundation was named after the remarkable Anne de Vries, affectionately called “Friesio” the brother of our co-founder, Elske de Vries. It’s a tale that has touched the lives of people around the world and brought together our diverse group of board members and ambassadors.
Anne de Vries came into this world during a challenging time – the midst of World War II in Apeldoorn, Netherlands. From his very first moments, life threw him a curveball. He suffered a cerebral haemorrhage shortly after birth, leaving him unable to walk and grappling with a severe speech impediment that would remain with him throughout his life.
Imagine the burden on the De Vries family during those turbulent years – war, limited resources, and the added responsibility of caring for a special, yet severely disabled, child. But within these tough circumstances, a remarkable story of resilience and love began to unfold.
Friesio’s family did not let adversity define them. Instead, they created an environment that nurtured his growth and development. Friesio, with his determination, had a spirit that never knew the word “quit.” When Friesio was three, he welcomed a new sibling into his life – Elske. Their bond went beyond the typical brother-sister relationship. Elske became his voice, translating his often unintelligible sentences into something their parents could understand.
What truly captured Friesio’s heart were nature and animals, especially birds. Particularly the nuthatch held a special place in his world. So, he took on a monumental task: writing a book about this fascinating species of bird. There was just one condition from the publisher – Friesio’s severe disabilities were not to be mentioned.
Despite the pain and hardship he endured, Friesio spent hours observing nuthatch birds, meticulously recording his observations with a cassette recorder. It was his mother who painstakingly transcribed these recordings into written text. In 1982, Friesio’s book was published – a remarkable achievement and an incredible source of inspiration for countless individuals worldwide who faced similar challenges.
Today, the Friesio Foundation is considering translating this masterpiece into English and German to share it with an even wider audience. Our hope is to present it as a heartfelt gift to our cherished sponsors and well-wishers, paying tribute to Friesio’s spirit and his legacy of courage and determination.
In Friesio’s incredible journey, we find the essence of our foundation’s mission – celebrating resilience, kindling hope, and inspiring people worldwide with stories of triumph over adversity.
How Friesio inspired Royalty ?
An important encounter took place in 1987 between Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and Friesio. Although wheelchair-bound, Friesio channelled his energy into writing a wonderful book, The Nuthatch. When Queen Beatrix visited Het Dorp, which is a special village and community for disabled people in Arnhem, Friesio was chosen to meet her and present his literary achievement.
As Friesio gifted the Queen his book, its symbolism hung quietly in the air. Like the resilient nuthatch, Friesio’s spirit took flight despite physical limitations. As Her Majesty paged through, Friesio described how channelling creativity allowed him to transcend his circumstances. Queen Beatrix engaged Friesio in a thoughtful dialogue, expressing sincere interest in his message.
Friesio spoke of how community and autonomy enable residents to spread their wings. Two enlightened minds recognised their shared humanity, looking past any divisions of status or disability. Wisdom and respect flowed between them as they discovered common ground.
Reflecting later, Friesio described the meeting as a validation of how hardship need not limit achievement. The Queen’s warm reception affirmed his conviction that life grants our spirit wings. Through passion and talent, we can uplift our communities.
Decades on, Friesio’s book remains in the Queen’s library – a reminder of the human spirit’s ability to soar, regardless of physical form. The village also carries on its mission of empowering citizens by embracing all as equal.