In October 2023, Paul suffered a severe spinal cord injury after falling down the stairs in his home while checking if the back door was locked. The incident resulted in a broken neck and an incomplete spinal cord injury, according to his wife, Maaike.
Maaike, 51, found her husband lying in an awkward position at the bottom of the stairs. Although she remained calm initially, she quickly realized the severity of the situation. Emergency responders immediately suspected a spinal cord injury upon arrival.
After being rushed to intensive care, Paul received the diagnosis that his neck was broken and that he might never regain movement. His reaction was described by Maaike as a primal cry of despair that continues to echo in her thoughts.
In the days following the accident, medical professionals initially could not confirm whether Paul would recover any function. However, after one day, doctors informed the couple that Paul had an incomplete spinal cord injury, meaning there was potential for some sensation or movement to return.
This news brought temporary hope, but it quickly faded when another physician stated that any function not regained within three days was unlikely to return. Maaike found this prognosis harsh, though Paul appreciated the honesty.
As Paul’s condition showed no signs of improvement, Maaike shifted into problem-solving mode. Determined to adapt their home for his needs, she decided to renovate their garage into an accessible living space.
She enlisted the help of her brother-in-law, and together they began the renovation. A contractor and architect soon joined the effort, along with Paul’s friends, who formed a volunteer construction team to support the project.
The experience has fundamentally changed Maaike’s life, which she describes as now being centered entirely around caregiving responsibilities.
