Who are you and what is your relationship to OI?

My name is Vern van den Boorn and I was born with Osteogenesis Imperfecta Type 5. For me, this means dealing with some specific challenges like calcifications in the forearms and reduced mobility in certain joints. Since 2024 I have been the secretary of the Dutch OI association (VOI), which allows me to give something back to the community that has supported me since childhood.

Where and how do you live?

I live in Maastricht, a city in the south of the Netherlands where people love to take time to enjoy life’s pleasures — good food, cozy cafés, and friendly conversations — something I enjoy very much. At home, I live together with my dog Lance, a Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen with a lot of character and an unforgettable presence, and my two cats, Tommie and Annika. They add a lot of warmth and fun to my daily life and they make sure I’m never bored.

Currently you are working as Information Security Officer. What do you like most about the IT area and bring webmaster for OIFE?

I’ve been working in IT for over 25 years, currently as Information Security Officer at the Maastricht University Medical Center. What I love most is making technology work for people – helping them rather than complicating their lives. Becoming webmaster for OIFE felt like a natural way to combine my IT skills with supporting the OI community, creating a place where information is easy to find and people from all over the world feel connected.

How did you get to know the OIFE and what do you like most about the OI-community?

As a child, I attended VOI meetings together with my parents. That gave me a first impression of the OI community. Years later, when I became more active in VOI again, I came into contact with OIFE. What I value most in the OI community is the feeling of recognition and solidarity. You don’t have to explain yourself — people just understand.

What do you do when you’re not doing OI-work?

Outside of my professional IT and OI work, I enjoy the small things: walking with my dog, reading, watching movies and series, and exercising a couple of times a week. I also love spending time with friends, traveling, enjoying good food and having good conversations.

In your opinion – what is the most important task for national OI organizations?

I believe that national OI organizations, like VOI in the Netherlands, have a crucial role: they connect people, provide information and advocate for accessibility and inclusion. Most importantly, they create a community where people feel at home.

Do you have any other messages for the readers of OIFE magazine?

My message would be: get involved if you can! Whether you contribute with your time, your skills, or simply by joining events — it makes a difference. For me, being secretary of VOI and webmaster for OIFE is a way to use my experience to strengthen our community, and along the way I’ve met inspiring and amazing people and built lasting friendships that cross borders.