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The story behind DONADÍÉS?
DonaDíés began as a personal journey.
I grew up with a neurodivergent way of thinking and experiencing the world. A way that didn’t always fit within systems, expectations, or traditional ways of learning, yet one that was rich in images, sensitivity, and meaning.
My mind spoke in images.
My heart spoke in questions.
And with my sense of wonder, I often notice what remains unspoken.
But back then, unfortunately, there was little room for that language within the education system.Yet my curiosity was stronger than my desire to fit in.
So I chose a different path. An adventurous journey filled with highs and lows.
With adapting, getting lost, people-pleasing, and finding my way back to myself again and again.
For too long, I doubted my value.
For years, being different felt like something that needed to be fixed. Until I realized: my way of seeing, feeling, and imagining is not a limitation.
It is my strength.
With this perspective in mind, I now create documentaries, art, and educational projects that invite people to truly see. Not only with the mind, not through numbers or theories, but by experiencing, feeling, and connecting. To come closer. To make visible what often remains unseen.
I wanted to create what I myself had missed:
Space to look without judgment, to feel without needing to explain. And to grow through curiosity rather than conformity.
A place where seeing differently isn’t corrected…but welcomed.
What once felt like a struggle eventually became my mission: inviting others to dare to see differently. Not to solve something, but to set something in motion. Because I believe that every person has something unique to offer. And that some people truly flourish only when they are not just seen, but understood.
We don’t need more lessons in what we may never be good at.
We need space to discover what makes us curious.
Nature shows us this every day:
no tree is the same. No river follows the same path.
And yet it works. Because of those differences.
“Everyone speaks their own language: sensitive, wild, quiet, colorful or bold.
Only when we learn to understand those languages can we truly meet one another.”
As an astronomer once told me:
“The universe works so well because every star and every planet does what it does best.”
Perhaps the same is true for people.
We dont have to be the same to create something beautiful together. Our differences are where our shared value lies.
DonaDíés is my gift to the world.
An invitation to learn the art of seeing with understanding.
To truly see one another.
I believe real change begins with understanding —
and understanding begins with truly seeing.
Not “different” versus “normal” —
but knowing: different is very normal.
So this is where our journey begins — toward a new kind of normal.”
I believe in learning by inspiring each other!
Let's learn less facts and more what it is to be human.
Désirée Salman
MEET THE TEAM
We make visible what often remains unspoken. With head, heart, and understanding, we bring stories that touch.
DonaDíés proudly collaborates with:
🟡 Désirée Salman:
Founder & Creative Director — Concept Thinker, Storyteller, documentary Filmmaker, and Visual Artist
With 19 years of experience in national television and a passion for neurodiversity and anthropology, Désirée connects the worlds of emotion, education, and visual storytelling.
She is the creative force behind DonaDíés and the founder of YTVM – Your TV Moment, where she also creates commissioned films and visual stories that deepen understanding.
With a smile, she describes herself as a neuroconductor: someone who brings together the power of different ways of thinking through images, conversations, and stories. In doing so, she is always looking for what challenges, moves, and opens new perspectives.
Through DonaDíés and YTVM, she brings together documentaries, education, art and visual storytelling to create meaningful gifts that inspire people to discover The Art of Seeing with Understanding.
"What moves us stays with us—even in silence."
🟡 Niek Pennings
Director of Photography, Cinematographer, Editor & Visual Storyteller
As a cinematographer and Director of Photography, Niek captures the essence—the soul—of a story. With a keen eye for atmosphere, detail, and authenticity, he creates visual depth that stays with you long after the film ends.
Through his company, Beeldzeggend, Niek brings his visual craftsmanship to DonaDíés. As our trusted Director of Photography and visual partner, he creates a calm and welcoming atmosphere in front of the camera, allowing people to feel at ease and share their stories naturally and authentically.
With his eye for atmosphere, detail, and sincerity, he brings visual depth to every production. Together, we love nothing more than discovering genuine stories and bringing them to life.
🟡 Sabrina van Bemmelen
Artist
With her realistic painting style, Sabrina manages to create more than just a striking portrait. In her work, she captures not only a face but also the emotion, the character, and the quiet presence behind it. Her art invites people to linger a little longer and discover new details each time they look
Through her own artistic practice, Sabrina brings exceptional craftsmanship and deep sense of humanity to DonaDíés. On a number of mural projects, we combine our strenghts: where Désirée creates a unique and colourful concept filled with abstraction, and symbolism, Sabrina adds a touch of realism.
Together, we create murals that invite connection, reflection, and wonder—a unique balance between inspiration, decoration, and art that invites people to pause, reflect and see differently. With her eye for detail and commitment of authenticity, Sabrina is a valuable creative partner within the DonaDíés team.
DonaDíés
The maker of inspirational gifts.
The name comes from the Latin word Donadies, which literally means "Gift Day." But to us, it is more than a day. It is a movement. An invitation to look with greater attention, to discover, and to pass it on.
Learning what it means to be human may be the most important education of all. And perhaps the true art is not to know everything, but to discover The Art of Seeing with Understanding without losing our natural curiosity.
Because understanding may simply begin... by looking with an almost childlike sincerity.
Look → Find → Discover → Wonder → Share
Because one discovered gift may become the beginning of a gift for someone else.
