MX as therapy: who will help Fernando get back on the bike?
Everyone needs a goal or a challenge. We are not talking about a super ambitious dream such as becoming world champion. Engaging in your favorite hobby or sport is a great outlet for many people! When we received an email from Solange about her brother Fernando who is severely autistic and can give his life direction thanks to motocross, a light went on in our minds.
At first glance, Fernando van Eijl from Zeewolde seems like a boy like any other. That's actually what he is, but someone with his own obstacles. Fernando has a severe form of autism. He was a huge motocross fan from an early age. And he raced cross-country from the age of 4 to 13, but due to financial reasons Fernando was forced to stop. Motocross was not just a hobby but it was his therapy and his life. No other therapy or medications could compete with this. This sounds familiar, just think of the story of Wim Segers in by VLM.
Below you will find the call from Fernando's sister Solange:
“After my brother had to stop motocross, his life went into a downward spiral. He came into contact with the wrong people and abused alcohol and drugs. In addition, he could no longer express himself and therefore did not know how to properly deal with his feelings. This caused him to become very quickly and seriously aggressive.
Last summer my brother spent 10 weeks in the Yes We Can clinic, for young people with addictions and serious behavioral problems. After a long struggle, he has chosen to completely change his life and follow the right path. During this period he had no contact with the home front for the first 5 weeks. On August 8, his 16th birthday, he was alone, without contact, working on himself.
During this period he had a terribly difficult time and after the first 10-week process he also received aftercare at home every Thursday. That was until last week. Fernando has now completed the entire process and has found a job for 3 days a week following his training in Bicycle Technology.
I would like to ask you, as fellow fans of the best sport in the world, for two things that are very important to us and especially my brother. First, I would like to ask for letters of encouragement. When he just came back, we already had a whole line full and my brother did very well. Every time he relapses or doesn't feel happy, he looks back and is touched that so many motocross riders believe in him!
I would also like to ask for sponsorship because the very best therapy for my brother is for him to get back on the motorcycle. He is working hard for this himself, but due to his autism he cannot do more than is currently asked of him and saving is still very slow with the little bit he earns. So you can support Fernando by donating money via this crowdfunding page: https://nl.dreamordonate.com/dromen/motorcross-als-therapie/
Would you like to sponsor but in a way other than money or would you like to send a card? Then you can send an email to solange.vaneijl@hotmail.com. We are open to any help!”
Photos: Gonnie Uit de Bosch, Van Eijl family
Also to read
The final of the MXGP Championship will be held in Spain
Infront Moto Racing today announced that the Spanish venue Cózar will host the exciting final round of the 2024 MXGP Championship. It is the third Spanish GP…Team HRC Honda to Portugal with Tim Gajser as the only rider
The 2024 MXGP World Championship kicks off the first of three straight races this weekend in Agueda, Portugal for the fifth round in this exciting battle. The next weekend it will…VIDEO: Roger De Coster about communication with the riders
In a video interview with Roger De Coster, the difficult start of the KTM boys in the US is discussed. It's about the set-up of the engines and how everyone...An update on Tyla van de Poel's injury
Tyla van de Poel crashed during the EMX125 in Arco di Trento and broke his tibia and fibula. Another pilot hit his front wheel on a ski jump, causing him to...
Your reactions