The Great Marc Evers

What if you stopped focussing on what’s impossible
and instead opened yourself up to what ís possible? 

This was a very special project for me. Both in size and creativity, collaborating with Gemma PLum and Ivo van Woerden

This story is about Marc Evers. When he is two years old, it’s almost impossible for anyone to make contact with him. His parents are told by a psychiatrist that he has an autism spectrum disorder and is mentally handicapped. The psychiatrist recommends institutionalization, because he’ll never talk or be able to go to the toilet on his own. Marc’s parents refuse to listen to him. 

Eighteen years later, Marc gets ready to compete in the 100-meter backstroke at the London Paralympics. He walks, talks and rides his bike. He has become a great guy who’s part of a lively family. And above all, can swim like a torpedo. With five Paralympic medals and many world records, Marc Evers is the Netherlands’ greatest Paralympic swimming champion. How did he manage to beat the odds?

The great Marc Evers is a moving, intimate, inspiring and above all optimistic coming-of-age portrait of Marc and his family. A visual story about perseverance, hope and strength, trusting your intuition and daring to believe in yourself and your child.

With an afterword by Sander Begeer, professor of Diversity of Autism.