ABSTRACT
In response to the complications and feelings of depression that his accident entailed, Stijn developed a ‘mental resilience reflex’, which he defines as ‘the ability to embrace bad luck and the feeling of injustice that comes with it’. Inspired by the Socratic method, the system consists in choosing rational reactions to events beyond one’s control and constantly questioning their validity. This reaction is a focus on what is still possible, away from the permanent aspects of his impairment – a positive outlook enabled by Stijn’s fortunate circumstances (friends, family, passions, the hopeful evolution of his recovery) and so-called ‘tested expressions’ (a concept elaborated upon in later chapters). Its ultimate purpose is to offer his daughters a meaningful perspective on life: that even when life gets hard, there are often still valuable options. However, the reflex faced serious challenges, especially Stijn’s chronic fatigue, the unfounded time pressure he experienced and the uncertainty about the definitive outcome of his recovery.
