In 1984, Wim and Hedi Hilberdink started their practice in the Helpman district of Groningen. They have been through a lot in those forty years. “We have had patients who voluntarily wanted to end their lives.”
Where it started in 1961 with a swimming pool and a sauna, the Paramedical Center for Rheumatology and Rehabilitation (PCRR) Hilberdink has grown since 1984 into a large family business employing more than thirty people. “We are very proud, also of our employees who have committed themselves to the practice,” says Wim Hilberdink (64), who started the adventure a few decades ago together with his wife Hedi Hilberdink (64). The company has more than 1,100 clients annually. Now, forty years later, they are about to transfer the business to their son Bas Hilberdink and nephew Jochem Hilberdink.
Physio practice with swimming pool
Wim and Hedi met in the fifth grade of the Willem Lodewijk Gymnasium. After Hedi had doubts about studying medicine, they decided to study physiotherapy together in Amsterdam. “Luckily she was so in love with me that she wanted to come with me,” Wim says laughing.
Wim and Hedi started their practice in 184 within Wim’s father’s health center, where they have a swimming pool. Quite special, because not many physio practices had a swimming pool at that time.
Special approach
In addition to the swimming pool, the PCRR is also known for getting their patients moving right away. Not common, says Wim, as other practices often opt for disorder-oriented treatment such as massage. “We get people here with chronic complaints,” says Wim. “These complaints do not go away, so we let people practice immediately. We help patients so that they can return to their daily activities, such as vacuuming and hanging out the laundry, and get back to their lives.”
At the beginning, the referrers, often medical specialists, who sent patients to the practice were reluctant to accept this method of treatment, says Wim. “They said to us: ‘What are you doing to our patients?’ Now things are better, because they see how much exercise and exercise helps these people.”
And the patients themselves think so too, because the couple was surprised with a royal award in 2010. Their own clients nominated Wim and Hedi for Member of the Order of Orange Nassau. “Yes, that was quite a surprise,” says Hedi. “I remember patients trying to put me in a nice blouse. But I didn’t know anything so I didn’t feel like it at all, because I just wanted to get to work,” Wim laughs. “That award was the crowning achievement of our work.”
Intense moments
Having patients with chronic complaints also has intense moments that have stayed with the couple. “We have had patients that we knew well. They wanted to voluntarily end their lives,” says Hedi. “That was very intense for us.” Wim adds: “You are not trained for that as a physiotherapist. Fortunately, they felt comfortable enough to talk about it openly with us.”
Yet they still think it is a nice profession, says Wim. “We have always enjoyed doing this. I have always been interested in offering solutions for people who are in poor health.” Hedi: “It is so nice to see how important this work is for people, that gives me a lot of motivation.”
After forty years, they are now handing over the practice to their son and nephew. “We wanted to spend more time with our grandchildren,” says Wim. “We have worked hard, but those forty years are quickly over.” He hopes that he will succeed in not interfering too much with the practice. “It will be difficult for me, but I am sure the new owners will do well.” When asked what they will do first during their retirement, Wim laughs loudly. ,,Nothing at all. Hopefully we fall into a black hole.”
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