In 2018 while I was still in art academy I was contacted by Freek. Freek was then in the process of writing a childrens story based on his own experiences in life to increase representation of and normalize handicapped children in childrens book stories. With limited mobility, Freek wrote a lot of the story by eye control, writing on his computer through eye movement. The story is about Ziep, a quite autonomous little boy in a wheelchair which does not limit him at all. He has an enormous fantasy and with the help of a magical horse and magical-mouse-dust he explores the world and goes on great adventures. I made more than 20 illustrations for this very special book in close collaboration with Freek and it got published by ILoveMyLabel with the help of Tim Knol who made a themesong for the story that’s included on CD. I remember our time working together fondly and will continue to stay inspired by Freek and his character Ziep, seemingly never hindered in his joy for lif and in his creative expression by anything life threw at him.
