Professional Speaker
Debbie is a professional speaker specializing in the Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes and their complex comorbidities, as well as key topics within the veteran community. Through powerful storytelling and lived experience, she brings clarity, compassion, and expert insight to conditions that are often misunderstood or overlooked.
As a speaker, Debbie shares her own life stories to illuminate the realities of chronic illness, disability, and resilience. She explains complex medical and psychological topics in an accessible, human-centered way that resonates with both professional and public audiences.
In addition to her advocacy work, Debbie also serves as a presenter and host at veteran events, commemorations, and conferences. Her presence is warm, engaging, and grounded in deep respect for the veteran community.
Inspire
Debbie strives to inspire people in everything she does, encouraging them to discover their own inner strength. She hopes to offer lessons that reach beyond the moment, lessons that people can carry into the future. Her mission is to empower individuals not only to stand strong themselves, but to use that strength to uplift one another.
Debbie believes deeply that we are always stronger together. When we support each other, share our experiences, and lead with compassion, we create communities where resilience grows and hope becomes possible. Through her stories, her advocacy, and her presence on stage, Debbie reminds audiences that every person has the ability to make a meaningful difference, both in their own life and in the lives of others.
Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes
Debbie herself has been diagnosed with Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, along with many challenging comorbidities—conditions she also sees reflected in her own children. The journey to finally receiving a diagnosis was a long and painful nightmare, one she has shared openly on her blog.
Yet Debbie refuses to remain anchored in the past. Instead, she chooses to use her experiences to build a brighter and more hopeful future. She speaks frequently about EDS and its related conditions, raising awareness, sharing knowledge, and creating understanding wherever she goes. She collaborates with scientists and researchers to help move the field forward, striving to improve the lives of patients who are too often overlooked.
Debbie also dedicates herself to empowering other patients—especially children. She teaches them to trust their own bodies, to believe in their strength, and to stand up for their health needs with confidence. At the same time, she helps healthy children understand that health is never guaranteed, and she inspires them to use their compassion and courage to help others.
Through her voice, her work, and her heart, Debbie brings hope, education, and empowerment to a community that needs it deeply.
Veteran Community
Debbie is the proud wife of a Veteran, and through this, she has witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by veterans and their families. She understands the silent weight carried by those who serve, as well as the resilience required from the home front.
During a medical conference, Debbie met a specialized nurse who worked at the Veterans Hospital just outside New York. He opened the door for her to follow workshops and deepen her knowledge within this field. That experience sparked a passion that has only grown stronger over the years.
Today, she remains in close contact with many veterans’ organizations in the Netherlands. Her hope is to continue building meaningful partnerships and to stand alongside these communities, using her voice, experience, and heart to advocate for those who have given so much.