Heleen van der Leest

In memoriam: Paul Jan Francois Fijn

born in Heerlen, The Netherlands, 9 October 1945, passed away in Beekbergen, 11 June 2005

Paul arrived twenty years ago at the Cliënts Union as a locked person. At the national office of the union he found a place where he was received heartily. As a volunteer he was able to develop his talents as the years rolled by. He was able to transform his idealism into actions. Working, together with others, at changing the position of cliënts in mental health care for the better he felt like a fish in the water.

He was working as an editor of the bulletin of the union, at the telephone service, on the board and as an organizer of recreation weekends for the members. More and more he became the captain of the ship. At last he received a well desearved salary as a coordinator. Last year he was honoured with " The Rose of Elizabeth" for his efforts in his own region, the town of Deventer, where he lived.

International he was one of the legal founders of ENUSP and deputee of the North West Region: Ireland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. He cooperated in various publications, such as " Considered Use of Medicine" and " Asking for Sense". He was on televisionprograms, among others in a program of Willibrord Frequin.

Growing in strength of mind, in the end his body could not keep up with his activities. About nine years ago emphysema was diagnosed , last year lung cancer and some weeks ago an iflammation of the lungs which could not be cured. Calm living was not Paul's way. He remained concerned in the clients movement until his last days.

Saturday morning 11 June 2005, a quarter past nine. A beam of light fell in his room in the care centre of Beekbergen. Paul had departed in his sleep. Heaven's door went a little bit open.

2005, June 14