Patient lecture

Daily activities such as walking, eating, going to the toilet, or rolling over in bed are taken for granted. Imagine not being able to control your movements for the rest of your life. Andrei Fokkink, 28 years old, lives this reality. For him, these tasks are not possible without assistance. Everything requires more time, effort, and preparation. Yet, he does not focus on what he cannot do but rather on what he can do. And that is a lot.

Andrei creates and sells artwork. With a positive attitude, he focuses on opportunities. He uses the proceeds from his artwork sales to support people with disabilities in Bacău, Romania, who do not have the same access to assistive equipment as he does.

But could he do more? What if he could decide to go somewhere and actually be able to go there independently? Cars are being developed to drive autonomously, so why not a wheelchair? Five years ago, Andrei and his father Arie posed this question to a group of student volunteers and researchers at the University of Twente. This led to a long-term collaboration known as AbilityTech.

To answer the question of how Andrei and others can gain more autonomy, the researchers started with an essential tool: the Tobii eye-controlled computer. This technology forms the basis for several innovations, such as an eye-controlled wheelchair that can orient itself, detect obstacles, process commands, and execute movements, or an eye-controlled shuffleboard, allowing Andrei and others without functional arm or hand movements to play the classic Dutch game.

AbilityTech gained increasing recognition through media, fairs, and symposiums. Where possible, they enthusiastically take them on, always aiming to make our innovations accessible to others facing similar challenges.

Since this is a patient lecture, we also want to reflect on the term ‘patient.’ According to the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, it describes ‘a person receiving medical treatment’ and ‘someone dealing with problems calmly and without haste.’ But Andrei is much more than that. His definition of a good life revolves around more autonomy, inclusion, participation, and mastering a skill.

During the lunch break, Andrei challenges you to play shuffleboard with him! Curious?

You can find more information about Andrei and AbilityTech on these websites (which will be also available in English soon):
● andreitekent.nl
● https://www.andreitekent.nl/nieuws/
● abilitytech.nl