Parents discover how others saw their children beyond physical disabilities

The parents of Joachim and Mats, two sons who died at young ages, describe how external communities recognized their children's personalities despite severe physical limitations.

The parents explain that while they struggled to see past their sons' medical conditions, others found ways to connect with them. Hospital clowns from Sykehusklovnene interacted with Joachim, a blind boy with limited mobility, by using music and voices to elicit smiles and laughter.

The parents note that these performers focused on the person rather than the hospital equipment or the diagnosis. In a different setting, Mats lived with Duchennes muscular dystrophy and spent much of his time playing World of Warcraft. While his parents worried he was lonely due to his decreasing physical freedom, his online community saw him as a friend and a leader.

His peers in the game, where he went by the name Ibelin, valued his humor and his ability to mediate conflicts and support other players. These experiences led the parents to advocate for relational health, which they define as the impact of human relationships on physical and mental well-being. They use these stories to support the Ibelinprisen, an award given to young gamers between the ages of 9 and 18 who make a difference for others in digital communities.

The award recognizes those who welcome new players and ensure that everyone feels included.