Studying after an accident: the story of Imke vd Velden

A series of bad luck

In June 2020, Imke gets involved in a serious cycling accident. She is unconscious for over five minutes, and suffers mild traumatic brain injury. As if that wasn't bad enough, she gets involved in a car incident a few weeks later. Both accidents have a huge impact. ‘In September, despite everything, I started my master's programme in good spirits, but soon I knew that I just couldn't continue,’ Imke recalls. ‘I was hypersensitive to images and sound, and I could barely look at a screen for more than ten minutes. The headaches were continuous. I had to stop my studies to focus fully on my recovery'. An emotionally and physically demanding time begun. There was also the uncertainty of continuing her education. What would happen to her scholarship? 'That worried me a lot. But fortunately there was no reason to worry. The University Fund Limburg and the scholarship provider were very understanding and helpful. That was a huge relief. They put the scholarship on hold so I could focus on getting better.' 

Dot on the horizon

Three years later, in 2023, the moment has finally arrived: her recovery is going so well that Imke can start up her master's programme again. However, that does not mean that she is back to her old self: Imke still experiences pain on a daily basis, and has to take regular breaks when she reads or looks at a screen. ‘But the intervals are getting longer; I notice that I am making progress every day. In any case, I am not the type of person to give up. Fortunately, I don't lack perseverance,’ Imke says with a smile. Her dedication, positive mindset and willpower are admirable. 

Golden mix of academia and business

Imke has been studying again for about a year and a half now. ‘I really like it. I find the combination of nutrition, health and business very valuable. In addition to substantive knowledge about the health sector, we learn, for example, how to write a business plan and how to set up your own company. What particularly appeals to me about studying at Maastricht University is the Problem-Based Learning approach. It makes the programme very interactive. The topics also stick better if you have a feeling with the subject, and if you are able to work on your own learning goals. We share our findings during class; the knowledge sharing component is very interesting and helpful.'

After rain comes sunshine

Imke is currently doing an internship at the VieCuri Medical Centre in Venlo. ‘At the hospital I am conducting research into functional intestinal complaints that people experience after bowel cancer surgery. I am looking at how these complaints relate to sarcopenia (loss of muscle mass) and what role fibre intake plays in this.’ Imke expects to complete her Master's in December. ‘I feel ready to graduate. I'm looking forward to exploring the labour market and taking new steps here in Panningen, my home town. In the near future, I hope to buy my own house. But first I'll focus on finishing my master's and finding a job! I have wide-ranging interests, so my options are still open. As long as a job has something to do with food and health; I truly have found my passion in that.'

Text: University Fund Limburg, Anouk van den Brink