A man with brown curly hair, a black T-shirt and a tracheostomy tube, Erwin Oudshoorn, looks into the camera; Copyright: private

Name: Erwin Oudshoorn
Age: 37
City: Mijdrecht, Netherlands
Occupation: Entrepreneur and app developer
Disability: Lymphatic malformation

What makes a day a good day to you?

Erwin Oudshoorn: Every weekend I start the day with a delicious cup of coffee and a croissant. If I can do that in the sun, then my day is off to a perfect start!

Which day or moment in your life do you particularly like to remember? And why?

Erwin Oudshoorn: When I woke up after a surgery in a Berlin hospital by the American doctor Dr. Waner and his team. They made sure that my mouth could finally be closed, something that had never been possible before. That was a hugely important moment for me.

From 2007 to 2018, I was undergoing surgery on average three times a year in Berlin by Dr. Waner, who was always flown in from America for his European patients. Many of these procedures were laser treatments, but there were also surgeries that changed my life forever. Today I have finished the surgeries and am taking part in a medical study at the Radboudumc in Nijmegen (Netherlands).

I've already developed a suitable aid for myself – my text to speech app Talkie.

A man with brown curly hair, a black hoodie and a tracheostomy tube, Erwin Oudshoorn, looks into the camera; Copyright: private

What has been the biggest challenge in your life so far and how did you overcome it?

Erwin Oudshoorn: My biggest challenge was learning to swim. It was never possible for me because of the tracheostomy tube in my throat, but I had wanted to learn since I was a child. Many attempts failed.

Until February 2023, when I discovered a swimming instructor on YouTube who was teaching a child with a tracheostomy tube how to swim. I took private lessons with him and six months later – at the age of 35 – I had my A swimming badge. Since then, swimming has become a fixed sport for me, alongside fitness.

Which assistive devices are indispensable for you in everyday life and why?

Erwin Oudshoorn: My cell phone is indispensable for me. As I am sometimes difficult to understand, my own text to speech app Talkie helps me to communicate better with others.

If you could invent your own assistive device, what would it look like and what would it have to be able to do?

Erwin Oudshoorn: I've actually already done that with Talkie, but it would be even better if the app could recognize my spoken voice and convert it directly into a natural voice. With the rapid development of AI, this seems to be becoming more and more tangible.

Gif animation: REHACARE 2025 from 17 to 20 September 2025 in Düsseldorf/Germany, linked to "Get your tickets now"

A man with brown curly hair and a tracheostomy tube, Erwin Oudshoorn, stands in swimming trunks at the edge of a pool and looks into the camera; Copyright: private

Erwin Oudshoorn realized his dream: at the age of 35, he learned to swim – a personal milestone for more self-determination and participation.

What do you wish for from society and your fellow human beings in dealing with people with disabilities?

Erwin Oudshoorn: That everyone, regardless of their disability, gets the chance to find the love of their life. I am glad that I can make a contribution to this with my dating platform Capido. Everyone deserves a partner who accepts them for who they are.

If nothing were impossible: Who would you like to meet, what place would you like to visit or what time would you like to experience – and why?

Erwin Oudshoorn: I would like to live abroad for a longer period of time, somewhere where the sun often shines. And I would like to have my own pool so that I can swim at any time and improve my swimming technique.

Are there certain topics or initiatives relating to people with disabilities that are particularly close to your heart?

Erwin Oudshoorn: The LGBTQ+ community, because I am gay myself. Coming out isn't easy anyway, and it's often even more difficult for people with a disability. I speak from my own experience, but I believe that many people feel the same way: it feels like you have to be doubly accepted in society. This topic deserves more attention.

At REHACARE, you meet like-minded people without being judged for your disability.

A man with brown curly hair, a black T-shirt and a tracheostomy tube, Erwin Oudshoorn, at his stand for the dating platform Capido at REHACARE 2024; Copyright: beta-web GmbH

Tell us something about yourself that might surprise us.

Erwin Oudshoorn: Although I've been running a dating platform for people with disabilities since 2019, I've never had a relationship myself. I used to look hard for one, but for a few years now I've been more relaxed about it and am happy as a single person. Nevertheless, I believe that I will meet the love of my life at some point.

What significance does REHACARE have for you?

Erwin Oudshoorn: It’s a place where you can just be yourself and meet like-minded people without being judged for your disability. It's also a great platform to discover new innovations and solutions that contribute to a more inclusive society.

What's still on my mind...

Erwin Oudshoorn: I've been swimming for two years now and want to improve my crawl technique. And professionally, I want to make my dating app Capido even better known so that it can have an even greater impact on the lives of people who are looking for love and connection.

Nadine Lormis smiles in to the camera; Copyright: Victoria Emanuel

Editor: Nadine Lormis | REHACARE eMag

Nadine Lormis has been writing about (digital) developments in the assistive technology sector, self-determined living and inclusion for over 15 years. As editorial director of the REHACARE eMag, she is closely networked with the community of people with disabilities and chronic illnesses – both professionally and personally.