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< Back Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link 12 Months of Summer The day starts as it goes and so does the weather. When I’m awake I need to lay down for at least an hour. There’s no control. I live by what is provided for me. MUNISA ELEPHANTI loves summer. It’s almost an addiction. The tempertures feels so much better on my body. I feel less pain and I am able to go outside more. Training outside in the water and seeing a blue sky is the best. That’s a millionaires life. People who only know me from the cold and wet weather are always shocked when they see me in good summer weather. It’s not that I don’t have bad days in summer, but its different if you take good care of yourself. So how do I manage that?! Over the years I’ve learned that it’s my body and my mind that make the dissision weather or not your able to join in in life. There’s no control. Let that go as fast as possible! I live by what is provided for me. Not in a way of people preparing food or anything for me, but what does the day give me. What can my body handle and how’s my mind feeling by that fact. Every morning when I wake up I forget that I have a disability. Yess people… every day I forget! But soon as I’m awake the body will let me know! Depending what I was hoping to do that day, my mind goes along. Regular appointments with people nearby you are a big difference to cancelling weddings, holidays, babyshowers, etc. However, it can blow up my mind and make me really sad. The day starts as it goes and so does the weather. When I’m awake I need to lay down for at least an hour. In summer time that’s my moment to lay in the sun and enjoy the sky, birds, butterfly or a tiny ants. I say my thanks for today. I’m grateful, no matter what. If you practice this long enough you’ll feel joy all over your body. I can’t stay to long in the sun if I want my skin to stay safe. It’s okay to go back inside or in the shade. With this time you helped your mind for at least an hour to be happy and calm. You’ll see the benefits when you need to cancel your events another time. If you’re going on a holiday this summer and you feel like you really need it this year, I invite to try to keep that happy feeling longer then last time. Keep summer in your heart and mind. It’s not only making pictures to show everybody where you have been. Make pictures of moments and places in your mind (mindpicture). So, when you’re feeling blue, or fed up with the bad weather, close you eyes and go back to your mindpicture. The big difference with a picture to show where you’ve been and a mindpicture is: a mindpicture has not only the visual of the place but (more importantly) the feeling, the sun on your skin, the wind in your hair, the food you ate, the people around you! So look around be thankfull be presend and make your mindpicture (click on the related content button below) to keep summer all year long! No closing picture this time. Let me describe a picture that only exists in my mind. There’s a slight breeze touching my skin and it blows my hair softly up and down. It’s warm outside so the breeze comforts me. The surface I’m walking on is rocky and it is easy to fall. My eyes concentrate on every step I take. My best friend holds my hand, so I won’t fall. I see beige, red and grey colors of stone. Green of threes and when I look up the sky is blue and there are falcons dancing in the sky. I hear people more and more as I walk closer to the end. Nobody saw the falcons but us. The sun is preparing to set so she shines her last colors of the day. The sky turns orange, yellow, purple and even a bit of pink. It disappears slowly behind a huge rock of love and makes her dive of the day into the sea. This is such a peaceful moment! I’ll will never forget this moment. This mind picture reminds me that I’m not alone and gives me 12 months of summer. The sun will set but she will also rise again tomorrow! MUNISA ELEPHANTI wishes you a happy summer filled with tickles and laughter! Related content Previous Next

< Back Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link A Pink FULL MOON and we love Pink! Pink often symbolizes love, compassion, and femininity. This FULL MOON is named pink because of the wildflowers (phlox from North America) that blossoms in spring. But their various names are based on cultures and regions. The Pink moon represents renewal, growth, and the arrival of spring. At MUNISA ELEPHANTI we’re in desperate need of spring. The need for dry and sunny weather could help the body to feel much better. Let’s go south! As traveling isn’t always that easy to accomplish, I travel in my mind. This time to Mexico! My uncle came back from a trip to Mexico when I was around 9 years old. That had a huge impact on my life. Beside the funny foods and tequila, he was explaining to my dad, he told me for the first time about Frida Kahlo! I immediately fell in love. To hear about a woman with a disability who was wearing a same kind of casquet a I had just weeks before. She was a painter an artist and had her own thoughts of life and wasn’t afraid to share her mind. Actually, all her paintings are a view inside her mind. The way she captures the feeling of pain and being lost or trapped into a body that doesn’t matches your hopes, believes, and dreams is incredible. I hope I can one day visit her old house to give my absolute honor and respect I have for her. As she would say: “¡Viva la Vida!” If you can’t go to Mexico, you bring Mexico to you! Two years ago I was really lucky because the paintings of Frida Kahlo visited The Netherlands at the Cobra Museum in Amstelveen and an exposition at the Drenths Museum. At the latter I could finally see my all-time favorite painting ‘The broken Column”. The painting is symbolic of the physical and emotional pain she endured throughout her life. Seeing this painting was amazing! I had tears of joy and sadness at the same time. Frida made very explicit paintings with blood and death. I can understand it’s not for everybody. However, the broken column has no blood. The column represents her spine. The nails piercing her skin suggest her constant pain she experienced. The suffering expression on her face is one of strength and resilience. Even writing about this moment makes me so happy. There are multiple ways to experience other countries and we all love to do some shopping! Especially for my service dog Vedrá (click on the related content button below), buying for her always makes me happy. I found a dog brand from Mexico named Tulum. They joined the “Tzotzil” Indian community to mix modern design with ancient artisan techniques. The “Tzotzil” are an indigenous Maya people of the central highlands of Chiapas, Mexico. Every sale provides a sustainable and local employment. They also support a rescued dog foundation with animal health care, buying food or whatever the rescued animals need. That’s why MUNISA ELEPHANTI loves a brand like this! But how did I get it here in The Netherlands?! Well, my local animal shop is the first one in The Netherlands where you can buy Tulum from Mexico! Doesn’t Vedrá look lovely in it?! So, to end my day in Mexico. I’m going to make myself a nice Mexican diner. I’ll put on a Mexican playlist and watch Frida Kahlo the movie. My mind was in Mexico even though I couldn’t go, I was there. MUNISA ELEPHANTI wishes you a mind that travels from time to time for renewal, growth, and the arrival in you! Related content Previous Next

< Back Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Throwback To My Birthday & My Marriage Proposal It is a sunny (22°) Sunday on March 8, 2015, as I turn 32, and Lola (my first service dog) turns 9. I decide to keep my birthday small, mostly because no one can make it. There's a presentation of the parade film, vacations are booked, all understandable but still disappointing. Nevertheless, I had seen this coming and planned my birthday in a way that I would have a super day. On Saturday evening, I went to dinner with Vanessa and Luc at the Greek restaurant Daphne on the market in Sittard. Fortunately, Leroy could join after work. We laughed and discussed that I would like to get married... This was because my dear godson had the idea that it was time and it might happen. Just to be clear, I know absolutely nothing. Sunday morning at half past ten, mom and dad pick us up to go to the market in Liège. We pick up Vanessa, Luc, and the kids and continue the journey. It had been so long since we, as a family, had done something like this together, and the weather only adds to the joyous faces. The audience hasn't changed much over the years, but the stalls have evolved with the times. We score a few cute kaftans and have a drink on a square. There, I unwrap the gift Vanessa made for me, a wooden "F" with various Frida Kahlo photos. I also receive a pair of beautiful Frida earrings, and I am overjoyed. My parents had bought me a beautiful pair of glasses, but they hadn't arrived yet. My mother found that unfortunate, so she bought a card with music. It was a cheerful card with an elephant in a hot air balloon (including balloon sound) that promised a day full of surprises... I was curious. Leroy starts acting a bit strangely, but I have no idea why. He suggests driving to Visé and having Belgian fries with mayo. Delicious, sitting in the sun on a curb. That was a long time ago! My birthday party comes to an end. Mom and dad take us to Maastricht, where we have an overnight stay at Hotel Derlon. Leroy had gifted this stay for my birthday, and I loved it! When we check-in at Hotel Derlon at 2:00 PM, the receptionist (intern) asks when we want the champagne breakfast in the room. Leroy answers, "That was a surprise, honey, but how about 9:30?" What a great idea! I thought, "I know the surprise!" After bringing our bags upstairs, we head straight to the lobby for a drink. We try to find a spot so that we can eventually find a place on the OLV square. But there's the hotel owner, Benoit Wesly, and he beckons us over. Hours pass, and many glasses of wine later, Benoit gets up to do "something." When he returns, he tells us that he found it so enjoyable, and to wish me a happy birthday, he had a bottle of champagne brought to the room. Fantastic! I'm thrilled, and Leroy is too, though with a forced smile. He tries to contact the receptionist now, but the message apparently doesn't get through. We decide to take a walk first and have a drink by the water at... the sun hasn't set yet, but with all our chatter, we've missed some of it. It doesn't dampen the spirits because, despite the pain I've been feeling today, we're fully enjoying ourselves. As the sun begins to set, we decide to walk back to the room, hoping for a bottle of champagne in the room, while Leroy hopes for something later. On the room, there it is, a beautiful cooler with champagne. Leroy asks if we want to wait until after dinner. But that seemed strange to me. You don't leave champagne to "warm up." He opens the bottle, asks me to sit down because he wants to give me something else. The first thing that comes to my mind is, "Darling, more? I've already been so spoiled." He opens the safe (again) and takes out a wrapped box. Like the average woman, I can tell from boxes what kind of jewelry might be inside. So, this box was in the category of 'earrings.' A realistic option since I had also asked for earrings. But to my surprise, this earring box is a box from Jeweler Van Sloun?!? So, as I say "Van Sloun?!?" and look up, Leroy is on one knee. He tells me how important I am to him and that he wants to grow old with me. I complete him. With tears in my eyes, I say yes, of course! As we hug and give each other a kiss, Leroy wants to toast! So, we toast to our engagement! I exclaim, "I have to call my mother. Yes, really." Let's be honest; in the end, I'm still that little girl who likes to share everything with her mom! I absolutely did not expect it! Despite having already filled in the surprises in a different way, Leroy managed to keep it well hidden. Leroy had wisely planned to ask me after dinner, considering my eating problems. After the proposal, we went to eat on Vrijthof. But unfortunately, after a slice of Margherita pizza, I had to make everything disappear through the sewer again. Despite these odd practices, we walked around like a couple of love-struck teenagers. I couldn't stop looking at my beautiful ring. How beautiful and romantic! He really made one of the most beautiful days of my life! The next morning, he woke me up with: "Good morning, fiancée!" I immediately started crying again! I thought, "Oh yes, it's true! He proposed to me yesterday!" Related content Previous Next

< Back Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link I Can Buy Myself Flowers My adventure with a new assistance dog begins at the start of the full moon. My third assistance dog. Let's call her "Vedra" (I will come back to this in a later FULL MOON story, click on the related content button below). Everything I need in the form of an assistance dog will now come to fruition. With gratitude, I entered this adventure. With gratitude, I let go of my dearest second service dog (Louis). Knowing that he has ended up in the most wonderful family in Sittard. They are important to both Leroy and me, and they can give him the role he deserves. Louis is the happiest 'pensionado' there is. Of course, that doesn't mean that I don't miss him terribly and often feel sad. Truly loving someone also means knowing when to let go in love. This feels a thousand times better than with Lola, who could enjoy her retirement for such a short time. Slowly we enter a waning moon. A period that stands for relaxation, peace, acceptance, wisdom, sharing, and above all, "let it be." Exactly that is what Vedra and I are doing. Just getting to know each other. Who are you? What do you like? What do you dislike? Do you feel safe? No judgment, just being. My trainer comes weekly to help me. She knows Vedra better than I do and has more than 30 years of experience. This gives me support in every request for assistance. That brings peace. In the last quarter of the moon, it is important to face conflicts. Will you do everything the same, or have you learned from the previous period? Vedra and I are doing incredibly well. We are slowly climbing the mountain of love. She is eager to learn and work. I am the one who is damaged and the one who doubts. I walk outside with Vedra by my side. I walk as if she is about to pull a sled at any moment. However, she walks like an alpaca beside me. Louis, in the end, was like a sled dog for me! The ashen moon is perhaps one of my favorite phases of the moon. All intentions have been fulfilled. Let's say, "new rounds and therefore new opportunities"! Life always teaches, even in a cycle of 28 days (let alone a quarter)! As Vedra gains more and more confidence in herself, her trainer and I give her confidence back 100 times! It is time to look at what we need together to grow into a top team! Yes! Finally, a new moon! The moment to reflect and rest. Where do Vedra and I want to be at the next new moon? We love a "normal" retrieve. But grabbing slippers on command is 'next level' and super cool! By the way, did you know that she can also close a door? We were practicing, and it was going well. The next day, the trainer came to continue with opening the door... When the postman rang the doorbell, Vedra and I were in the middle of training. Enthusiastically, she showed that she could close it... But not open it... ;((( Nooooo!!! There I was in my hallway in my kaftan. Thank god my phone was in my hands so I could call someone. Luckily, my sister was able to open the door (shout out to Wommie!!). It was a drama then, now I find it hilarious! It's already a young crescent moon again. Time really goes much faster looking back than looking forward! So nice to reflect each time among all the positive and negative things we experience in our lives. The experience of time always seems faster in hindsight than in the moment! That's why it's now extra important to dream wonderfully! Explore what the possibilities are. Especially within the always ready-made "no" (which is obvious when you have a disability). Now think big and make it concrete where possible! The first quarter of the moon is perhaps one of the toughest... After dreaming nicely, doubt immediately sets in again. Can I do it? Am I asking too much? Am I worth it?! "Yes" to everything! Especially now! Trust yourself and trust each other. You are not just doing something. You are building! "They didn't build Rome in one day, they say!?" At this moment too, my environment and the trainer are essential! So, we booked a flight to Ibiza to fly for the first time with Vedra. While the waxing moon still lets you celebrate a bit in doubt, it's important to stay on course! Your endurance is being tested now! Yes, we can! We make our first journey, our first flight. We enjoy everything together for the first time! First time sun, sea, beach, cava, tapas, and more! The only thought we manifest during this trip is: gratitude. I am grateful for Vedra in my life. Grateful for my husband, family, friends, the trainer, and you. I see it again! I can buy myself flowers thanks to Vedrá! Related content Previous Next

< Back Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Floral Dinner Feels Like Gucci We love dinner parties! Gathering with friends and family around a long decorated table with delicious dishes is simply delightful. It's almost Christmas, and we've been celebrating Boxing Day for 17 years now. It's wonderful to be together and reflect on the year, amazing every year! We have a different theme each year; we usually look at a few images to find a connection with that year and come up with a theme. This year, flowers! In Full Moon September, I wrote about Vedra and the freedom a service dog brings, do you remember the goat cheese lollipops from the New Moon?! (click on the related content button below). My husband has become even more enthusiastic about the Gucci brand through his work, and they happen to have the theme "Floral" this year. Clearly, this year's theme is flowers. Once the theme is decided, we look at the color palette. Then, the menu. Always considering our guests. Vegetarian, allergies, or alcohol-free, it's all there. Making everyone feel at home is top priority. We send out invitations and then create the menu and name cards. The table arrangement isn't meant to make anyone feel uncomfortable. Quite the opposite, you always sit with your partner, no worries. It's important that conversations can flow well, but not everyone has a partner, and they should also feel comfortable mingling at the table. It's so lovely to push the dining table apart, grab extra chairs, set out the tablecloth, plates, knives, glasses, you name it. Slowly, the party becomes more visible. It becomes more and more flowery, both on the table and in the dishes. The delightful scents of herbs and flowers mix together. Thanking everyone for everything is great fun, but the result of the beautiful bouquet and the delightful dried flowers is epic! We've enjoyed it. What do you think of the result?! You can always send us Love. Hopefully, we've inspired you to organize a themed dinner, not because you have to, but because you can! MUNISA ELEPHANTI wishes you Happy Holidays! Related content Previous Next

< Back Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Winter is coming, but in my heart, it's summer! My favorite destination is undoubtedly Ibiza. So cliché, but the relaxation I experience there is so intense. I want to particularly talk about the last week of a vacation. My husband left a week earlier than me due to work. I had long wanted to turn my stay into a mindfulness/retreat/silence week, and this was my chance... It resulted in some very special experiences. For several years, I've been focused on conscious living, something that makes my limitations bearable in difficult times. I've taken mindfulness courses, been on a retreat, attended yoga classes, and much more. (Click on the related content button below, if you like to get more inspiration) Hence, I didn't really choose a name for this week, so I'd like to mention the mix for you. I combined everything I've learned throughout my life to get closer to myself during the last week in Ibiza. Lots of meditation, 'walking' (getting dropped off at a place but mentally walking, weird huh, but yes, it really works!), eating healthy, living with the sun not the clock, no phone, no social media, no conversations with people from home. In short, if you feel lonely, don't call home but find it there. In some cases, stepping out of your comfort zone. A storm is approaching, and my body starts sounding the alarm like a weatherwoman. It's something I've had my whole life. As soon as there's a storm, thunder, or something similar approaching, my right shoulder starts to tense up, and before you know it, my whole body. Normally, this is a moment when I'd lie in bed and entertain myself with TV and social media. But yes, I had agreed not to do that. So, I didn't. But I noticed that, for example, Facebook gives me a feeling of being 'in the know'. So, if I don't look, am I not in the know? And all those people I can't congratulate!! That's really not fun! Of course, celebrating every day that you're alive is best, but your birthday is special. What many people don't know is that it takes a lot of hand function to make this possible. Even the standard 'congratulations' under my phone's copy button I rarely did because even that costs too much energy. So, I quickly realized how ridiculous this actually was. So much energy to congratulate on Facebook! There's no better place than Ibiza to accept this. There are just things in life that many people often do constantly but due to my limitations are simply not possible. Even though nowadays you can dictate a lot more, one must consider that you still need a hand function level for that. For example, I can't always dictate on WhatsApp because my voice is getting harder to understand...! But okay, back to accepting. I'm so in the Ibiza flow that not using social media is pretty easy. I'm sitting in the most beautiful places with my assistance dog by my side (so safe). I smell the sea, feel the wind through my hair, and everyone radiates. It'll be much harder at home where all I know is 'Winter is coming'..! The difference is we're not there now, so stay in the now. I have to laugh at myself as I write this, but seriously... Stay in the now!! I go to my favorite spot in Ibiza for the last time to imprint the moment in my mind so that I can return to this place from anywhere in the world. I meditate for a long time. I try to store everything I see in my mind. The birds flying past me as if I were one of them. The wind blowing over my face. In complete tranquility, we see a boat approaching. Very far away. As it gets closer, I burst out laughing! It's obviously a boat, not a little boat (I'm not very good at estimating). They sail peacefully along the coast out of my sight. More and more people come to stand beside me to see what I'm looking at. It doesn't annoy me; it even brings peace. It's too beautiful not to share. Some people don't see it; others sit down next to me and quietly watch. The sun slowly sets; it's time to go. Back home. 'Winter is coming' but in my heart, it's summer! Related content Previous Next

< Back Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Celebrating Carnival in a wheelchair, that's doable! Carnival, or as I prefer to call it, 'Vastelaovend', is originally a Roman Catholic festival that takes place in the three days preceding the forty days before Eastern. Beyond the fact that I cannot deny that there is a lot of drinking and eating during this period, Vastelaovend means much more to me than that. Vastelaovend is the moment to dress up as your favorite idol, animal, or something you find hilarious. But you can also dress up to portray something. Political jokes, clichés, puns, or stereotypes are often used for that. In Sittard (Zitterd), we call it 'laammaekerie', which translates to ‘roasting’. I find it one of the most enjoyable things there is. Just not taking everything seriously and letting go, and sometimes maybe being a bit serious without anyone realizing it. Apart from that, I love the music! Click on the related content button below, to dive in! Sittard celebrates Vastelaovend for a full six days! On Thursday evening, the women attend the 'auw wieverbal', dressed unrecognizably to play pranks on the men. Think of a group of women dressed as Rembrandt who happen to have some leftover makeup. Friday is for the schoolchildren and students. Saturday is the 'kanon van het balkon' (cannon from the balcony), where at 11:11 PM, the key handover takes place between the mayor and the prince of that year. On Sunday (the original first day of carnival), we have a big parade. Various groups and floats parade through the city center. Monday is the 'Tröötekonkoer' (Trumpet Contest). Various bands and orchestras play in the cafes and on the market. On Tuesday afternoon, it's the 'appelesiene sjmiete' (orange throwing), where oranges are actually thrown to children if they shout 'APPELESIENE' loud enough. In the evening, the mask is buried, and the real die-hards even shed a tear with the prince. In short, how do I participate in such a schedule? It seems impossible, but believe me, with making choices, more is possible than you think. In recent years, I have celebrated Vastelaovend mostly in a wheelchair. Because my illness is quite variable, it can be difficult for others to assess exactly where we stand (or sit). The crutches are for indoors, the walker for short walks and the possibility to sit, and the wheelchair (now electric) is safest for me and my surroundings. I noticed that sometimes, the environment finds it more challenging than you do, or let me put it this way: you have gone through this process much earlier than your environment. By talking openly and accepting that it can sometimes be a challenge for everyone, you prevent people from feeling unhappy or you are feeling unhappy. Do you celebrate Vastelaovend outdoors or indoors? Is there a public toilet or do you have to go to a café? How crowded is it there, and what route is best for me to take? These are all things to consider. Wherever possible, try to take the surroundings into account. If you have never celebrated Vastelaovend or you are new to a city, don't let that scare you off. Even I, who has been walking or sitting around Sittard for many years, have heard both the most beautiful and ugliest words thrown at me. Actually, this experience is no different from attending a festival or any event where many people come together. Some find it brilliant that you dare to go out, and others find it scandalous that you take up so much space in such a crowd. I noticed that younger people were much more open to me, the wheelchair, and my group of friends than the older revelers. There, it was mainly: 'Wouldn't you be better off staying home?' In this way, I would also like to sit in a wheelchair... There are more contradictions. Where there was no public wheelchair-accessible toilet, I always get help from my family and friends. I don't think you can plan everything in that regard. Everyone has fun, maybe drinks a bit too much sometimes, joins in the polonaise a bit too enthusiastically, and experiences 'oops, this is not a passage', but you, from whatever position you are in, go along just as eagerly. I got really angry once because someone was being so mean to both me and my surroundings because I was taking up too much space. But otherwise, I really didn't, because it doesn't make any sense. It only makes it harder for yourself. In all honesty, the electric wheelchair is not the most comfortable tool for me yet. I can't do it alone. Not even with just my assistance dog; it's simply inaccessible. I hope that this really changes and is taken into account with new renovations. An accessible restroom would already be wonderful. But if you focus on what you're doing, namely, having fun, then you won't have time for that. MUNISA ELEPHANTI wishes you a joyful Vastelaovend! Related content Previous Next

< Back Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Saint Rosa Pray for Us In Sittard we honour Saint Rosa de Lima from Peru with a beautiful chapel on top of the hill and a procession for 355 years. The Procession is the last Sunday of august and one of the last processions of the Netherlands. Saint Rosa from Lima was born on 20 April 1586 as Isabella de Flores de Olivia. She was a daughter of a Spanish couple. She lived a sober life with prayer and fasting. She showed an extraordinary calmness and self-control. In 1606 she became a member of the third Order of Saint Dominicus. Her characteristic were penance and spiritual life. Besides this she also was known for her embroidery work and her knowledge of flower growing. Some people called her a mystic. In the second half of the 17th century, Sittard and its surroundings were plagued by a dysentery epidemic, which resulted in many deaths. The Dominican fathers who had settled in Sittard in 1626 ran a flourishing educational institution. They were also active in Peru in South America. Therefore, they were familiar with this first non-European blessed and later Saint Rosa. They advised the people of Sittard to call on Rosa as an advocate against the deadly treat of this epidemic. The city council accepted this advice and promised – if the epidemic would subside – to declare Rosa the city patroness saint. They also promised to build a chapel in honour of St. Rosa on the highest point of Sittard – on the Kollenberg – and to hold an annual procession. The dysentery epidemic passed the city by and the people of Sittard fulfilled the promise made! 355 years later and the people of Sittard honour her every year. Munisa Elephanti loves the tradition. It’s the connection to a higher goal in life. It’s a heavy walk-up hill. Especially, because you walk a procession pass. That’s slow and step by step. On top of the hill the chapel always shines. Munisa Elephanti loves to meditate here or just enjoy the view. The procession starts at ‘de Markt’ where harmonies, scouting, sisters, acolytes, relics, the bishop and the faithful pray their way up. Once you arrive at the beautiful chapel service will take place. It’s that time where you can reflect on life. Since we all know what a pandemic is. It’s even more important to live your life with gratitude and grace. Once the procession walks back to ‘Markt’ it ends with a service in the St. Michael’s church. After the service the relics will be returned to their safe places and we enjoy a retro fair, drinks and food. St. Rosa is an inspiration to Munisa Elephanti. She dedicated her life to inform people how to take care of themselves. How to be hygienic in this time of the epidemic. Unfortunately, she died at the age of only 31. After a fateful 15 years of long and painful illness full of desolation, insults and reproaches. We can never know when it is our time to leave the planet. That’s for sure. However, we can make a decision what we do with the time we have here on earth. Munisa Elephanti just like Rosa loves flowers and embroidery and some call me mystic too. A saint we’re definitely not! Hihihi! Munisa Elephanti is sure about that. So, mark in your agenda every last Sunday of August you need to be in Sittard. To enjoy and experience a procession that’s 355 years old. Nowadays you would call it a retreat or mindful walk. The procession to honour St. Rosa is much deeper that you can ever experience. Even Ibiza can’t top this 😉. Click on the link below to learn more about St. Rosa from the St. Rosa Committee. Related content Previous Next

This is the story of MUNISA ELEPHANTI and its founder, Denise Vanderbroeck, nicknamed Dennis, born in the 80s in the south of the Netherlands, in a small town called Sittard. LOVE ME A vision of a child, a reality of an adult Welcome through the gate! This is the story of MUNISA ELEPHANTI and its founder, Denise Vanderbroeck, nicknamed Dennis, born in the 80s in the south of the Netherlands, in a small town called Sittard. Life didn’t start as expected, as I decided to start life with my butt instead of my head. Which wasn’t the best birth my mother could have had, to say the least. Thankfully, she gave birth to my sister before this terrible experience… My parents are still together after 40 plus years of marriage. My dad was born and raised in Sittard, and my mom was born in Amsterdam. 80's For the first year and a half, my right arm didn’t function due to Erb’s paralysis. I was paralyzed and had to work my way back to hope or pray for movement in any kind of way. That’s why I had my swimming diplomas before I was four, and I hung on rings for 30 minutes each day, rowing, physiotherapy, and it went on and on. Until I was 7 years old and went to a spine doctor who was supposed to check my scoliosis. He saw that my right shoulder had been dislocated due to childbirth… So, all the exercises, everything I did in hopes of getting better, was lost. I ruined my own shoulder. It took a team of specialists a year to come up with a plan to fix this. This period of shoulder surgeries and insecurities at such a young age brought me to MUNISA ELEPHANTI; at this point, it’s just an elephant butt that I need to draw to get my hands to keep functioning. Little did I know this was going to be my biggest joy! 90's After all the surgeries, life started to improve when I discovered my passion for education and started retail and business in my hometown. Born into a family of entrepreneurs, it seemed so logical. But at the age of 19, my body gave its first stop sign—standing all day and using my hands was not going to be my profession. Having my own store became the first fairy tale to pop... 00's When your body is giving up on you, your mind is still there to be challenged. So that was my new strategy. I was going to finish a bachelor's degree in business economics and marketing at Hogeschool Rotterdam (formerly known as HES). This was one of the best decisions I ever made—moving to Rotterdam and exploring myself. I met a dean who was going to help me change a lot of things in my life. She became one of my best friends. I knew when I started my education I needed surgery after my first year. So, it was very important for me to succeed in my first year because surgery and rehabilitation are impossible to plan. Missing too much would mean no bachelor's degree for me. It felt unfair that having a disability would decide if I could finish. So, while rehabilitating, my dean and I came up with a plan to help students with disabilities. To let them know what they are entitled to. How they can improve. Where they need help. Creating workshops, giving readings, breaking down unnecessary walls for all students. Before we knew it, the plan became bigger and bigger. More people supported us, and even the board of Hogeschool Rotterdam was enthusiastic! We called it Power Platform to empower the students. Nowadays, twenty years later, the Power Platform still exists and is renamed Student Welfare (Student en Welzijn). Moving on my own wasn’t that easy. It took some time to find new doctors and physiotherapists. Although I still lived in the same country, it didn’t feel like it. Change is always difficult and knowing you’re not in control. The good thing about change is that it can give a new perspective. This new doctor definitely did! He discovered I have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome , a connective tissue disorder that causes joint (sub)-luxations, neck instabilities, blood pressure, vascular risks, and many more annoying things. 10's Because of all the uncertainties in my life, I had a life coach teaching me breathing and meditation practices that helped me calm my mind when I felt overwhelmed because of pain, nausea, and spasms. This gave me my direction in life. Working from love, for yourself and all others. I also did several retreats to be as free in my body as I can be. In 2006, Dutch television showed the world's first beauty pageant (Mis(s) Verkiezing) for women with a disability. This was an opportunity I had to take. The winner would have a team for a year to make real changes, and you would have a meeting with the prime minister. I auditioned and was one of the 12 women on the live show. I learned so much from this experience. Not only how to present yourself but also about people's perceptions of having a disability. Why should you show yourself like that... Well, we show it because we are here! I came fourth, which was more than I could imagine. I was the only one with a so-called hidden disability. I started using walking aids later that year. I met amazing people with whom I’m still connected. There’s one foundation I would like to explain about. I met the director at an event from the beauty pageant. He introduced me to the founder of the foundation called Stichting Intermobiel . A foundation for people with disabilities who are mostly housebound, like the founder herself. In the beginning, I helped as a volunteer to raise money or bring awareness. Nowadays, I’m an ambassador and speak about sex with a disability, having children with a disability, write columns (Dutch only, sorry), and participate in a monthly Zoom where we speak about the good, the bad, and the ugly in our lives in a completely discreet zone and many more activities. Present Because of all these and many more amazing highs and lows in my life, I decided it was time to combine all the things I learned and love to share with you. With my hands almost non-functional, the Elephant butt is nowadays the only thing that I can draw. If I knew this as a child, I would have gone wild. But when life gives you an elephant butt, I turn it into MUNISA ELEPHANTI ! MUNISA ELEPHANTI is from me for you! Loving yourself, feeding yourself, inspiring, desiring everything for you. As I promised, the moon will be your light; you’ll find new moon lifestyle activities, for instance, meditation, recipes, or music. On the full moon, you’ll find more stories about me. My view on life or things I have experienced. For the sun will always rise, you’ll have to wait a little bit longer. Here you’ll find my sunrise, how I make my art, and the sunset with finished artwork. It will be a bumpy road. No doubt about that, but in the end, it will be filled with tickles and laughter! MUNISA ELEPHANTI thanks you for reading this! Meet the TEAM

Get inspired by new places, art and body & soul activities. Read about my view on life and my experiences. MOON MEMOIRS The MOON will be your light NEW LIFESTYLE Get inspired by new places, art and body & soul activities. FULL STORIES My view on life and my experiences.