(2/2) “The drugs had given me a stroke and it partially paralyzed me. While I was in the hospital friends and family would still visit me but once I went into rehabilitation it became less and less. I was no longer the fun friend who could go out and party. I had become a burden. During my recovery I was so scared of being abandoned by friends and family that I forgot to focus on my own recovery.After one month in rehabilitation I went back home to live with boyfriend. Even though he was really supportive I felt really lonely. The situation was hard for him as well because he was working, going to school and taking care of me. After one year I was doing a bit better but our relationship was no longer working. I think too much had happened so we decided to split up. Until this day I am still friends with him and I am so thankful that he was there for me.

From the moment I ended up in the hospital my life changed and for a long time, I was angry at myself. Over and over again I kept on thinking about how different my life could have been if I hadn’t taken the drugs. I lost a part of my health that night. I have also been angry at the people around me but I have learned to let go and forgive. I am not mad at anyone anymore and I try to be positive and to just focus on my relationship with myself. I am partially paralyzed and that it is something I am learning to accept. Instead of seeing my condition as a handicap I see it as my most important life lesson.”

(½)“Two years ago, on New Years eve my entire life changed. I was 19, studying and I had just moved in with my boyfriend. Together with a group of close friends and my boyfriend we went to a party to celebrate the new year. Everyone was doing some kind of drugs that night but I planned to stay sober. However some people suggested to try 4fmp, a designer drug which is kind of known as a ’‘safe XTC”. I was convinced to try it. A few hours after I took the drugs I started to feel unwell. I was seeing black spots and I was no longer able to communicate properly. My boyfriend took me to the first aid post. When they realized I had used drugs they told me to go home and sleep. The next morning when I woke up I got out of bed and fainted. My boyfriend immediately called an ambulance and I was brought to the hospital. I don’t really remember much of what happened after that. When I woke up the next day I couldn’t feel the right side of my body anymore and when the doctor came in I realized something was terribly wrong.“

“Last summer Max lost 10 kilo’s. He was stuck on a rooftop for two weeks and we couldn’t find him. Luckily we ended up finding him and we are happy that he is still here. Our costumers love him. Some even come in just to say hi to Max or give him some candy. Even though he is spoiled he also works.”
“Really? What does he do?”
“He has a weekly column in a local newspaper.”

“I was 16 and she was 17 when we started going out. Back then we were still in the art academy. We are both artist. I am a realist and she is a surrealist. One year later she broke up with me because she wasn’t ready to settle down. She wanted to see what else was out there.”
“What changed your mind?”
“He wrote me a letter one year later for my 19th birthday. It was a love letter. I can’t remember exactly what it said but it was convincing.”

“I was born on a Sunday and until my 17th birthday, I thought that those who are born on Sunday will never work a day in their lives. Boy was I wrong..”