The children from the rehabilitation center of Ghent University Hospital experienced a special cinema visit on Monday afternoon: they saw themselves on the silver screen. After their own video clip of the Clouseau hit And dance with Koen Wauters, a new documentary now shows the path they have taken to achieve this.
“You can be who you are”: that was the message that 68 convalescent children and their ‘healthy’ friends delivered last year with their own video clip of the song And dance from Clouseau. Together with Koen Wauters they worked on the clip for three months.
Four children who ended up in the Children’s Rehabilitation Center of Ghent University Hospital due to an accident, burns or a brain haemorrhage were followed by a camera crew during the project. Their story can now be seen in the documentary My other bodywhich premiered for children at the Kinepolis. (read more below photo)
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“Everything that was always self-evident is now difficult,” says pediatric rehabilitation doctor Ruth Van der Looven. “Children rehabilitate and recover, but are never the same as before. At a young age they are forced to say goodbye to their ‘big’ dreams and live with a ‘different body’.”
Admiration
Koen Wauters and his son Nono, who have been the godfathers of the center since 2022, were present at the premiere. “The documentary shows the vulnerability, resilience and commitment of the children. It is truly refreshing to be able to contribute to those guests,” says Koen.
“I realize that I am… the lucky ones am,” says Nono. “When you come into contact with children whose lives are sometimes turned upside down with the snap of a finger, it is very confrontational. It can literally happen to any of us, I have become very aware of that here. It’s crazy to see how resilient these young people are and how much they have to offer.”
INFO: The documentary can be seen on March 28 at 10:50 PM in ‘Telefacts’ on VTM.
Tags: Koen Nono Wauters support rehabilitation center children special visitors Refreshing contribute Ghent
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