The sports clinic for children with physical disabilities at Amsterdam UMC received a royal visit. Princess Margriet came to have a look at the clinic, which was founded by the Esther Vergeer Foundation. Annemieke Buizer, Professor of Paediatric Rehabilitation Medicine: "Sport is an important part of children's daily lives and also improves their quality of life. They get more social contacts and they feel more confident despite their physical limitations."
The sports poli is part of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and the Emma Children's Hospital Amsterdam UMC, and focuses on children with physical disabilities. In total, the Esther Vergeer Foundation opened a sports poli in five academic children's hospitals in recent months. Children with a physical limitation will have an extra consultation there when they visit their doctors and therapists. In a personal counselling trajectory, the wishes, needs and possibilities of the child are examined in relation to sports. The counsellors look for a regular sports club that suits the child and his or her disability.

Movement essential
Annemieke Buizer and paediatric physiotherapist Mirjam van Eck told Princess Margriet about the importance of sport and the Sports Clinic for children. "It's good to see that so many children have started to exercise in their own environment. Exercise is essential for children and we have been encouraging this for a long time. With the sports poli of the Esther Vergeer Foundation, this has become a reality."

Photo: From left to right: Princess Margriet, Annemieke Buizer and Mirjam van Eck
Photographer: Esther Vergeer Foundation/Mathilde Dusol