Model in the spotlight - Hay
Posted on Wednesday 15 July 2026 Reading time: 2.5 minute
You know,
our unique, pure potential
our distinctiveness
a great asset
where the world around us
watches on and soaks up that uniqueness
in terms of
there you have .
I recognise him or her among thousands
how beautiful it can be
sometimes I'm at the end of my tether
then there's the downside
the moments of inner dialogue
do help then
just as the mirror does
and I find my strength again.
Hay Freriks
Saturday, 17 September 2016 was the day of our Scleroderma Framed photoshoot. I have wonderful memories of that day and beautiful photographs to remember it by. But what I cherish most is the connection. That day I met a woman who has exactly the same rare form of the disease as I do: scleroderma with coup de sabre. It gave me a true sense of belonging, a feeling of comradeship, like The Three Musketeers: one for all, all for one.
Looking at where I am today, I can honestly say that I am doing well.
One of the highlights of the past year was the skating season. From the end of October until the end of March, I skated twice a week and completed five marathon skating events. Being on the ice gives me the ultimate feeling of flow.
Recently, I have experienced more problems with my affected eye, which requires some extra attention at the moment. But despite that, I generally feel happy and content. I am grateful for everything I am still able to do.
Poetry continues to play an important role in my life, as does my passion for education and learning. I give lectures to university students on "Learning with Impact", creating meaningful, sustainable and deep learning experiences, including in Kristiansand, Norway.
Last December, my poetry collection De Toonladder (The Musical Scale) was published.
I also enjoy French conversation classes, gardening, tennis, walking football, physiotherapy fitness training and, during the summer months, cycling on my road bike.
Together with my wife, Neeltje, we are enjoying a wonderful new dimension in our lives: our five grandchildren. The two eldest are now 21 years old and both over two metres tall!
What moves me most is the enormous contrast in our complex world. Sadly, we seem to lack truly inspiring world leaders. Wars continue, and millions of children grow up in conflict zones.
At the same time, there are still countless moments of beauty.
A walk through the forest, for example. Watching nature unfold once again. It never ceases to amaze me.
our unique, pure potential
our distinctiveness
a great asset
where the world around us
watches on and soaks up that uniqueness
in terms of
there you have .
I recognise him or her among thousands
how beautiful it can be
sometimes I'm at the end of my tether
then there's the downside
the moments of inner dialogue
do help then
just as the mirror does
and I find my strength again.
Hay Freriks
Saturday, 17 September 2016 was the day of our Scleroderma Framed photoshoot. I have wonderful memories of that day and beautiful photographs to remember it by. But what I cherish most is the connection. That day I met a woman who has exactly the same rare form of the disease as I do: scleroderma with coup de sabre. It gave me a true sense of belonging, a feeling of comradeship, like The Three Musketeers: one for all, all for one.
Looking at where I am today, I can honestly say that I am doing well.
One of the highlights of the past year was the skating season. From the end of October until the end of March, I skated twice a week and completed five marathon skating events. Being on the ice gives me the ultimate feeling of flow.
Recently, I have experienced more problems with my affected eye, which requires some extra attention at the moment. But despite that, I generally feel happy and content. I am grateful for everything I am still able to do.
Poetry continues to play an important role in my life, as does my passion for education and learning. I give lectures to university students on "Learning with Impact", creating meaningful, sustainable and deep learning experiences, including in Kristiansand, Norway.
Last December, my poetry collection De Toonladder (The Musical Scale) was published.
I also enjoy French conversation classes, gardening, tennis, walking football, physiotherapy fitness training and, during the summer months, cycling on my road bike.
Together with my wife, Neeltje, we are enjoying a wonderful new dimension in our lives: our five grandchildren. The two eldest are now 21 years old and both over two metres tall!
What moves me most is the enormous contrast in our complex world. Sadly, we seem to lack truly inspiring world leaders. Wars continue, and millions of children grow up in conflict zones.
At the same time, there are still countless moments of beauty.
A walk through the forest, for example. Watching nature unfold once again. It never ceases to amaze me.
