A few months ago, we lost Pierre Ryckmans, our coordinating doctor. Since his passing, memories have resurfaced, and some moments have left a deeper impression than others.
I'd like to share a story that perfectly illustrates the kind of person Pierre was:
That day, we went on an outreach round near Brussels South Station, looking for Ms. V.*, a person experiencing homelessness whose condition had significantly deteriorated. The situation was tense and complex. We spent hours negotiating, looking for solutions, trying to secure an appointment in psychiatry. I was exhausted, frustrated, and on the verge of breaking down. Nothing was moving forward, and I felt completely drained.
Desperate and on edge, I turned to Pierre, hoping he would echo my frustration. But he calmly looked at me with that gentle, kind gaze that defined him, and simply said:
"I'm truly impressed by the special and meaningful connection you managed to build with her."
His words took my breath away. Where I saw only difficulty and a dead end, he saw the richness of the relationship, the strength of human work.
That was Pierre. Always focused on what truly matters. Always reminding us that, despite the complexity of care, it’s the relationships, trust, and dignity of each person that prevail.
I still think back to that morning.
It reminds me why I do this work, and how deeply Pierre, through his presence, left a lasting mark on our journeys and those of the people we support.
Testimony by Cloé, nurse