A moment of remembrance for Michiel Vandeweert was held at KRC Genk before the team’s match against KVC Westerlo on Saturday. The man from Limburg died last week at the age of 28 from the rare ageing disorder progeria. He was known as an influencer and a passionate Genk supporter.
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Moving tribute to Michiel Vandeweert ahead of KRC Genk match
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Michiel, from Diepenbeek, was known throughout Flanders and far beyond for his positivity and zest for life. He had progeria, a condition in which the body ages rapidly, and doctors predicted he would not live beyond the age of 12. At 28, he was one of the oldest people in the world with the condition.
Michiel exceeded doctor’s expectations. He became a familiar face as a DJ and gamer, and he won a Jamie Award for his gaming content. His YouTube channel has 10,600 subscribers and on Instagram he had more than 50,000 followers.
His courage and positivity were a source of inspiration to many
Alongside his sister Amber, 20, who also has progeria, he inspired many people by living life to the full.
That message came across during his TEDx talk. In “Life’s short, make the most of it”, he emphasised how important it is not to dwell on what might not be possible, but rather to focus on what is possible. That same message is also the theme of his book Ik ben Michiel (I Am Michiel), which he wrote when he was 15.
Michiel and Amber were the subject of the documentary series How to Be Alive by production company Boundbreakers.
“Michiel left a deep impression and an indelible memory on everyone who knew him or followed his story,” the company said. “We wish his parents, sister, family and friends much strength during these difficult times.”
Michiel was also a big fan of KRC Genk. “It is with deep sadness that KRC Genk bids farewell to Michiel Vandeweert,” the club said on social media. “His courage and positivity were a source of inspiration to many.”
Progeria, or Hutchinson-Gilford syndrome, is a very rare condition that causes children to age about eight times faster than normal. It is caused by a small error in their DNA that damages the body.
Babies are born healthy, but after a year they begin to show signs of ageing: they lose their hair, their skin becomes more wrinkled and they remain small. Due to wear and tear on their heart and blood vessels, children with this condition often do not live to a very old age. With Michiel’s death, his sister Amber is the only person in Belgium with the condition.