The short version: yes the first week was successful – both for the Jeffry Stijn Foundation and me personally. But it came with a LOT of unexpected twists and turns! What’s that saying? We plan and God laughs? For the first week of the Jeffry Stijn Foundation my plans were pretty simple. Basic start-up things needed for any new venture. Begin the process of incorporating the foundation at the notary. Pay the deposit for the notary. Put on paper the ideas that have been rattling around in my brain for more than a decade as the basis for things such…
Author: Julie
Julie is a renaissance woman. Mental health patient advocate. Certified compliance professional. Avid reader. Amateur writer. Passionate dancer. Animal friend. Life-long student. Free speech proponent. Human rights champion. Devil’s advocate debater. Dutch by birth and nationality, international by blood, previous residency, education, mind and heart. Fluent in English and Dutch - with a smattering of Papiamento and Spanish. Spoke Mandarin and French at one point.
The discussion on human rights with the permanent representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Nations | part 2
In part 1, I wrote about the session at the University of Aruba with Mr. Bekkers. He is the permanent representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Nations, and yesterday he met with community members (including us) in regards to Human Rights. There were a few silver linings. One activist managed to present her thesis to Mr. Bekkers, which outlines a grave loophole in human rights in regard to one of Aruba’s laws which governs the integration and management of foreigners in Aruba (Landsverordening toelating en uitzetting). The other was assured Mr. Bekkers would find out why…
The discussion on human rights with the permanent representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Nations | part 1
(part 1 of 2) I was so excited when I saw the ad of the University of Aruba announcing that Mr. Bekkers, permanent representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Nations, was in Aruba, and that he wanted to meet with community members to engage in a meaningful conversation about human rights and a stimulating discussion. Just the day before the Human Rights Council held its annual debate on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Focusing on Support Systems to Ensure Community Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities. Woohoo, I thought! That’s me, and the people I advocate…
4 Years and 9 months for an online intake for possible fitting treatment
I have cPTSD (complex post traumatic stress disorder). I have probably suffered from it since pre-school. Though I was treated in my mid twenties for PTSD in the Netherlands (e.g. my acute traumatic experiences), I was not diagnosed with cPTSD till 2019. It’s taken 4 years and 9 months to get to an online intake for possible fitting treatment abroad. I realized I was heading toward a complete breakdown halfway through 2018. I informed my employer, and asked to come up with solutions in order to prevent said break down. My boss suggested I quit. I protected myself and called…
Why Jeffry Stijn?
The reactions to my inaugural blog post have been incredibly overwhelming. The positive feedback and touching personal outreach has exceeded more than anything I could have hoped or wished for. The question most asked is: “why Jeffry Stijn?” The name Jeffry Stijn Foundation is a tribute to two of my cousins. Both intelligent, witty, social and empathic. Both seemingly successful and well adjusted. Interested in a wide range of subjects and experiences. Being an only child, and not having been raised in the same country consistently with family at all, these two were the first ones that FELT like family…
A perfect inaugural day
Today was a day of firsts. The first forms filled out for the incorporation of the Jeffry Stijn Foundation. The first pages of its site live. The first emails sent and received bearing a logo. The first day I became the founder of something I truly and passionately believe in. Allow me to introduce myself: My name is Julie, I live in Aruba. Though I am Dutch by birth, I’m international by parentage and past residency. I love dancing, reading and writing. I love learning new things. My home is besieged by pets, filled with books, surrounded by greenery. My…