Able to do more: Jaap

For 26-year-old Dutchman Jaap, comedy is far more than a way of dealing with his paralysis, it’s a full-time occupation.

Jaap was injured four-and-a-half years ago in a diving accident in Portugal. Jaap soon realised that his sense of humour was the key to coming to terms with his paralysis.

He explains: “Humour had already helped me put things in perspective, but then after a while the comedy just exploded – in a good way – and now I’m a professional comedian!” 

For Jaap, nothing comes close to the feeling of being on stage, but just as important to him is being able to bring hope into other people’s lives: “The beauty of what I do is that I get the chance to inspire other people. There is so much negativity in healthcare, and a positive story can mean a lot to someone. I really get a kick out of that”. 

“Sometimes I say, my neck is broken but not my spirit. That’s really what it’s all about. Even if something happens to you, it doesn’t mean you should lose your drive. Re-evaluate, look ahead and then go 100% after whatever it is you’re going for”.

Visit Jaap's website:  www.sitdowncomedy.nl