Steven (56), son of Wivina Demeester who had early-onset dementia, died unexpectedly (Zoersel)

Monnikenheide-Spectrum announced Steven’s passing on its Facebook page. That happens to every resident who dies, but Steven was very special. Because without him there would be no Monnikenheide. He was the originator of the establishment of the institution to support parents in caring for a family member with a disability. His birth on September 9, 1967 led Paul, Wivina and many friends to realize the center.

“For six months we were only sad when it turned out that he had Down syndrome,” Paul, the ex-minister’s husband, said recently in an interview. “Then we decided to turn that emotion into a positive story.” Monnikenheide was a pioneer in care for people with disabilities.

READ ALSO. After Down syndrome, son Wivina Demeester also has early-onset dementia: “You have to say goodbye several times”

Satellite houses sprang up elsewhere in the village. Steven lived in one of them, the House at the Church, for 33 years. Due to his dementia, he was no longer able to live independently and in November last year he returned to the Lotus home on the main estate, with his parents nearby. There he said goodbye to life in his own room.

“Steven was a cheerful, often mischievous man who could handle many activities independently for a long time. For 27 years, he took the bus alone to drive from Zoersel to Merksem and work in the sheltered workshop. Even though Steven had changed significantly recently in his dementia process, there was no indication that life would slip away from him so suddenly,” writes Monnikenheide.

“It is difficult to accept that your own child has dementia,” Wivina Demeester said in February. “It’s almost unbelievable. I once said that I hoped I would survive him, and that is now more the case than ever.” He remained a vessel full of love until the end.

Steven’s farewell will take place in an intimate circle. Many responses are pouring in. Many people also know Steven from the bus, where he was always social and had a chat. He often used to travel with his parents, or to the Opera and De Singel.

“We cherish his image, enjoying a Trappist beer. With Monnikenheide, Steven is one of the foundations of Zorgzaam Zoersel. Wishing you a lot of strength,” Katrien Schryvers (CD&V) also responds. Wivina Demeester is Antwerp’s CD&V list pusher for the House in the upcoming elections. (kma)

READ ALSO. Wivina Demeester (80) back on the CD&V list after twenty years: “Why me? With my age I represent a large part of the population”