Jesper has MS "I can't wait to carry my baby”

16 may 2018

“I had to let go of the dream of becoming a parent: I could barely walk, only with a walker or wheelchair. Cycling was also difficult. Because of all the inflammation in my body I was constantly tired and I lacked the energy to do anything. It was a though time for my wife as well, in addition to her full time job she also had to take care of me. I kept falling and I was in hospital a few times with broken bones. I had to let go of the dream.

I’ve had for almost all my life: to become a father.” When Jesper heard of possibilities for stem cell transplantation in Sweden and Russia, he didn’t hesitate. "I just thought one thing: go for it! I got the chance in Russia. It was a risky operation and they couldn’t give me any guarantees. However, I had no doubt and until today I have no regrets: a day after I got back my stem cells I could move my toes. In a few weeks I felt so much better. I am still very gratefull this chance was given to me.”

His life has changed tremendously since the stem cell transplant. "I can walk again and long distance cycling is no problem any more. But most important: I am independent now. I take care of the household, get out on my own. That also means that my wife went from taking care of me 80% of her time to 100% time for herself. And the most wonderfull thing happened: I am going to have a baby! we expect our first child in the summer. I am looking forward to spending most of the time with the baby. I'm going to take care of her while my wife continus her full-time job. We are now preparing for the baby. Both grandfather's are very busy finding out adaptations to make it easier for me to take care of our baby. The baby’s room is getting adjusted so I can sit at any time when taking care of her. And we are getting a rollaway cot and an adjustment to my walker so that the maxi Cosi will fit on it.

" I met Kay when she organized a spinning marathon to raise money for stem cell transplantation. I was enthusiastic about the ByKay carriers and gave a few friends of ours a carrier at the birth of their baby. I would have never thought at that time that some day, I would use one for my own baby! At the 9 maanden beurs in Amsterdam we visited ByKay. My wife and I both tried different baby carriers and we both chose a click carrier. I think once we have our baby, this carrier is not only very nice to hold her close to me, but also a necessity to help me move with the baby from one place to another. For me it is nice to keep my hands free, although I never fall down anymore. But with the baby in the carrier I will Ibe able to use the wheelchair or walker to help me feel more confident in the beginning. And if I spend all day with our child, I think the carrier will be very helpful!! Kay lend me a doll to practice attaching the carrier; the more I'm used to it the easier it will be once the baby is here. Kay has already offered to see if there are any adjustments needed to make it easier for me. I can't wait to carry our daughter! "