“A few years ago I had a near death experience. It was an extremely difficult time but it’s the best thing that has ever happened to me.
Why is that?”
“When you are so close to dying your entire outlook on life changes. I now realize how precious life is. I have learned to enjoy the small things and care less about things that don’t really matter. I used to be an introvert person. Now my fears do not determine who I am anymore.”
“What do you do different now?”
“I have always loved to sing but before the accident I only dared to sing in a choir. There nobody could hear or see me perform. Now I started vocal training to become a solo singer and I’m even recording an album. If you had told me last year I would be doing this, I wouldn’t have believed you.”

“I’m from Italy. I came to Amsterdam be more free.”
“How are you more free here than in Italy?”
“For example, In Italy it’s illegal to smoke marihuana. I don’t understand why our government makes such a big deal out of it. I think they should be more worried about alcohol consumption, which in my opinion is a much bigger problem in our society.”

“What is your biggest struggle right now?”
“Finding a place to live in Amsterdam.”

“I came to The Netherlands to be an au pair. I was placed in a family with two children. Because the parents were often absent I was responsible for all kinds of extra domestic chores like cleaning, laundry and cooking. I worked much more hours than we agreed on. Because I wanted to make a good impression I didn’t say anything. When eventually I did say something about it, they replied: ‘But we are like family!’ After a while the kids became very attached to me. I noticed their mother could not appreciate this. She kept comparing me with the previous au pair. She would say things like: ‘Laura, didn’t mind to work extra hours’ and ‘Laura never complained.’ Whenever she said that, all I could think was: ‘Why is she not around anymore?’

“I was nine years old when both my parents abandoned me. I spend the rest of my childhood in in two different foster homes. I have felt a lot of anger in the past but I’ve learned to let go. Lately I’m back in touch with my biological parents. Instead of two, I now have six parents and I have learned something from each of them.”