Hello There - Meet Marita from Norway

What is your name?

My name is Marita and I live in Drammen, Norway. I am 38 years old and I have a qualification as a health care worker.

I worked in different health care areas until 2021. Then I decided to try something entirely different and I started to work in the construction industry. I run a mobile crushing plant (crushing blasted rock), drive a wheel loader and am currently the site manager at the crushed-stone plant.

Advantages working in a patient organisation

I do not have dystonia myself but my father has cervical dystonia and blepharospasm.
It took 8 difficult years to get the diagnosis, and he had DBS surgery in 2024. I felt it was natural for me to step up for Dad when his symptoms started about 10 years ago.

I am very fond of my dad, but I did not only accompany him on all visits to the doctor because I am fond of him, but also because I thought it was interesting.

I can see how these years have affected my Dad, how alone he has felt, how at a loss we have been regarding the lack of knowledge there is about this type of diagnosis not to mention the extremely long periods of waiting. When I was asked if I was interested in taking on the role as leader of the Norwegian Dystonia Association, in many ways I felt it was very natural to say yes.

I see how important the work is with the organisations, it shows just how vital community support and solidarity are when you have a dystonia family around you.

It is important than to continue working together to acquire more knowledge about this worldwide and at the same time be there for each other.

Although I really enjoy the job I currently have, I have missed the health-related component and therefore I felt that this opportunity was perfect for me. Then I can continue to work in my spare time with health-related things, hoping that my work can contribute toward raising awareness of dystonia and I might actually make a difference or be of help to someone.

Leisure:

I have been diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and therefore have a lot of excess energy that needs to be released.

I love being active, spending time outdoors, and trying out things that are out of the ordinary. I’m a bit like the Swedish character Pippi Longstocking, with her motto: “I’ve never tried that before, so I’m sure I can do it.” 😉

I have been involved in various types of motorsport for many years, and currently ride a motorcycle, which is a Honda CB650F. This is my way of switching off from everyday life for a bit.

I was involved with horses and equestrian sports for 26 years but stopped about five years ago because I no longer had the time. However, I love being around animals; it gives me a wonderful feeling.

Humour in everyday life is also important to me; I always really appreciate a good, cheesy, bad joke, the worse, the better. 😄