Globetrotter in a Wheelchair: Andreas Pröve
Andreas Pröve knows no hurdles! For him it cannot be uneven and steep enough at all. What he experienced on his last tour along the Mekong, he tells you in our photo gallery.
"Deep-fried tarantulas are a popular snack in Cambodia. However, I prefered them alive."
"One has the most pleasant temperatures for biking early in the morning before sunrise."
"In the Mekong delta in Vietnam I had to cross an immense number of bridges."
"Here I was on the hunt for the last river dolphins in Laos."
"One day before reaching our destination, a treacherous weather in the Tibetan highland made life difficult for us."
"My Tibetan carrieres are fascinated by the pictures of the Mekong."
"We make a break in the drenching rain at zero degrees."
"At 4600 metres height even my professional carriers run out of breath."
"With thirty kilos of luggage my self-built hand bike is still not overloaded and has optimum driving qualities. His brown colouring is typical for the Mekong."
"To save the strengths of my carriers I have rebuild my wheelchair to a sulky and have harnessed a horse."
"After 5700 kilometres I am the first wheelchair driver who stands at the head of the Mekong."
"With my friend and photographer Nagender from India at the head of the Mekong."
"My self-build hand bike proves itself very well in the winding city traffic of Kunming."
Globetrotter in a Wheelchair: Andreas Pröve
The Way to Integration Goes through the Stomach - Slideshow
Very delicious! The REHACARE.de editorial team was allowed to look over the shoulder of an integration company in the canteen of the Higher Regional Court (HRC) in Cologne and see how their work looks like.
The canteen in the Higher Regional Court Cologne is on the fourth floor and offers four different menus every day.
Boris Rywelski and his collegue Verena Meyer prepare the curry rice.
Verena Meyer makes sure that everything tastes very well. And everywhere it already smells of curry.
Bettina Kordelis prepares the salads and also the desserts.
Every day Bettina Kordelis dresses up to 150 salads.
Noreddine Gueldi makes sure that there is always clean cutlery and dishes. The dishwashing conveyor is very helpful for that.
Bettina Kordelis and her collegue prepare everything for the food distribution.
Doris Borgmann is versed in serving small snacks. Since more than 29 years she has been working in the canteen of the HRC.
Boris Rywelski brings the Italian stir-fry into the dining room.
In the canteen there is an extra big vegetable bar.
Doris Borgmann cashes and has always left a smile for the clients.
Verena Meyer cleans the huge pan: "After all, we are a clean kitchen!"
The Way to Integration Goes through the Stomach - Slideshow
Slideshow: "Pimp my Wheelchair" Contest 2011
We selected 5 finalists from all your creative submissions, from which the readers could choose Germany’s coolest wheelchair
Pimp My Rolli 2011 - Slideshow
Angler-Wheelchair
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The angler Bernd Höpfer has made his hobby easier with help of a tent pole, a tiller and duct tape: “A normal wishing rod holder was very uncomfortable, I was constantly forced to bend down, or it didn’t fit when I had to change my location shortly. With my new solution, I can always have one hand on the fishing rod, and I don’t tire.” The Berliner hopes other wheelchair users can become fond of his construction. He is happy to supply tips.
Sea-Wheelchair
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The wheels shouldn’t always come in mouse-grey. That is why Bert Dücker resorted to his paintbrush: “I wanted a décor that adds to the painting ground, the waved wheel print, harmonically. Maritime colours are positive and encouraging. I have used the Orca motif many a time and the puffins are always beautiful and decorative.” Additionally, he ironed a self-designed image of the beacon “Falshöft" onto the wheelchair cover with transfer-foil, so the image is better visible. With such an eye-catcher, the 55-year makes contact with other people regularly.
Godoj-Wheelchair
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Thomas Godoj- fan from handle to spoke: Every inch of Conny Knäbleins wheelchair is decorated with pictures of the German Pop Idol. “This popstar with charisma has touched my heart through his unique voice! I never want to miss going to his concerts. I have won a lot of self-esteem trough him”. The star himself was so thrilled with the 44-year old wheelchair user from Osnabrück that he showed pictures on his facebook- page.
Disco-Wheelchair
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Meet me at the discotheque: With LED illumination underneath the wheelchair and a red laser Marcus Kreutzberger, aka “Polohunter” regularly steals other dancers the show on the dance floor: “Now, people do not longer stare at me, but rather marvel at the wheelchair. Sometimes I even ‘have’ to sign autographs.” At the age of 30 he wants to encourage other people with handicap to conquer the glittering nightlife.
Spinning top-Wheelchair
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Everything revolves around him: Martin Miller, 46, likes to dress up – himself and his wheelchair: “I usually am part of the carnival procession in Dahn, and of course my wheelchair has to be “pimped” for the theme. Every year we choose a theme around communal political issues, as a hook. This year we made fun of the new roundabout in the centre of the village. My spinning top could even be turned trough an old hand cranked attached to the wheelchair”. The clutch of his Speedy-bike makes the whole construction stable.
Travel-Wheelchair
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Nearly 4000 miles on the milometer, Harley Davidson bags, Indian jewelry, an American number plate and a horn that cannot be overheard: The 49-year old Martin Lechner from Wiesbaden travels the world with his wheelchair. “The stainless steel rollover bar was made especially for me. The good old discounter watch is supposed to remind me that my wife is waiting for me and I shouldn’t be late.” If that should fail, the integrated Sat-Nav also helps.
Blackrose-Wheelchair
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49 rhinestones, genuine leather handles, stainless steel inlets and LED- backlights: Petra Schwarz likes a little bling. Watch and thermometer are also always on board – courtesy of the motorbike. The individual design helped the 54-year old accept the wheelchair she depends on after a failed cervical vertebra operation two and a half years ago: “My husband wants to make my life as beautiful and comfortable, with all means. That includes learning to accept my wheelchair, which was very difficult at the beginning.” Good, if the husband knows his way around carbon, aluminium and stainless steel.
THC-Wheelchair
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Welcome to the German national league of handball: Michael Schneider cheers for the members of the German handball club THC from Thuringia with pictures of handball players and their fans. “With this wheelchair I represent those fans of the THC who use a wheelchair. We call ourselves “Wheelchair Power,” the 52-years-old man explains. Airbrush-technique was used to paint the device.
Basketball-Wheelchair
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Tim Putze, 12, has really fallen for the Braunschweig basketball club „New Yorker Phantoms“. And that is why his spoke protectors shine in a basketball design. That is where he collects the autographs of his stars. Additonally, he carries his “Me-Book”, which explains his gestures with pictures, with him at all times.
Tractor-Wheelchair
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Thomas Reier is the youngest amongst the ten “Pimp My Rolli” finalists: “I am tractor fan. My wheelchair is decorated with the Fendt Vario 936, because that is where I had my first ride on a tractor. My favorite nowdays is the Claas Xerion 5000. But my mum says I should save up for a lawn tractor for the time being.
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Slideshow: Impressions of Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf is the provincial capital of North Rhine-Westphalia and has about 580.000 inhabitants. It is the ninth biggest city of germany. The good weather on the first days of the fair gave all visitors the opportunity to get to know Düsseldorf even better. And what's better than a tour throught the beautiful "Altstadt" - the ancient part of the city - or watching the sights?
Düsseldorf tour
Bolkerstraße, Altstadt
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The Altstadt is the historical, political und cultural center of Düsseldorf. In this ancient part of the city the town hall, the art collection NRW and the art akademy can be found.
"The longest bar of the world" - that's who the inhabitants and tourists call the"Altstadt" with its more than 300 pubs, discotheques and restaurants.
Burgplatz, Altstadt
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Where the Burgplatz is today there used to be the Düsseldorf castle, wich burned down in the 19th century except from the Schlossturm - the tower of the former castle.
It is a central meeting point for tourists and locals. The Burgplatz is the ideal place if you want to relax, have a dark beer and look over the Rhine. The area round the castle tower received an award as one of the most beautiful squares in germany.
Gehrybauten, Medienhafen
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The Gehry-buildings in the Medienhafen (media harbour) of Düsseldorf.
Frank Owen Gehry studied architecture at University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles. The warped forms of Frank Gehry's structures are classified sometimes as being of the deconstructivist, or "DeCon" school of postmodernist architecture, whether or not he consciously holds such inclinations.
Town hall, Altstadt
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The statue of Jan Wellems in front of the town hall.
In his residence at Düsseldorf, the Jan-Wellem Platz is named after him. He died in Düsseldorf and was buried in the St. Andreas Church.
Nordpark, Japanese garden
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In the north-western corner of the Nordparks you will find the "Japanischen Garten am Rhein" (japanese garden at the rhine).
Düsseldorf often is called „Klein-Tokyo am Rhein" which means Little-Tokyo at the Rhine. The first Japanese in Düsseldorf was registered in 1905. Today Düsseldorf is home and place of employment for the largest Japanese community in Germany.
Lambertus church
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The Lambertus church with its leaning tower (in the background of the picture).
Theatre
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The theater was officially opened in 1970. It has four different stages in various sizes.
Plays from Greaco-Roman times to the present.
Checking the classics for the topicality of their message, using premieres to raise awareness for contemporary problems, grappling with social issues or just having an entertaining evening - theatre can mean all this and much more.Young actors, producers and authors show a new approach to well-known plays.
Tonhalle
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Tonhalle, home to the 'Düsseldorfer Symphoniker', also hosts many international guest performances. The city's orchestra consists of 130 musicians, and with its many tours in this country and abroad has made an excellent name for itself far beyond the city borders.
Triton-Brunnen, Königsallee
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The Triton-fountain at Königsallee.
Düsseldorf's internationally best known trademark is the Königsallee ('Kö'). Germany's most sophisticated mile is considered one of the world's grand luxurious boulevards.
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