Barbara Fickert - That's how she rolls

When did you last laugh heartily and what about?

Barbara Fickert: It is almost ridiculous that I had to think about this so long. I really laugh lot and also I like to laugh about myself. But the last fit of laughter which brought tears to my eyes is quite a while ago actually: I met my former classmates and we read out old letters aloud from back then. I’m still astonished that the woman who read all of the letters was able not to laugh until she finished.

What have you always been wanting to do and why have you never done this so far?

Barbara Fickert: As long as I can think I had enough to do with the things I dared to do. So I did not even think of those things I did not dare. But there are two things I loved to do back then, but don’t do them anymore: to go Alpine skiing like 30 years ago and riding a horse.I avoid both activities nowadays because my eyes got worse. I also got older and I am no longer that venturesome.

Which person has influenced you most?

Barbara Fickert: That’s definitely my partner. I have been living with him for over 30 years now. He taught me how to behave in business life and how to be successful. He also infected me with his love for the sophisticated German language and the joy to play with it. He also introduced me to lots of good literature, of course as audio books. Also my parents have done this. Without all this I would have never taken the next step to write texts myself.

You have the chance to become the German Federal Commissioner for the Disabled. What would you do first?

Barbara Fickert: The way I imagine this duty it would not be a chance but a nightmare. All those organizations would come to me with their expectations and worries, but my opportunities to evolve them into laws are quite limited.

Your life is made into a film: Who would represent you?

Barbara Fickert: Fritzi Haberlandt! I like her a lot and this is not only because she did such a great job in representing Lili in the German movie "Erbsen auf halb sechs" who was blind since birth.

I would like to be ...

Barbara Fickert: responsible for distributing the incentives for film projects.

Which questions would you like answered the most?

Barbara Fickert: Why do the Olympic and Paralympic Games take place at the same location, but not at the same time?

What I finally want to say...

Barbara Fickert: I am always very surprised – in a positive way – from the general readiness to help. Wether young or old and also not depending on their nationality – they always help me. Maybe it is because I also do not have any fears of contacts?

But there are also many people who are not sure if and how they should approach to me. They are afraid to make mistakes. They often tell me that they have been rejected in a rude way. This always makes me sad. I prefer to explain it again and again instead of taking the risk not to get help one day. I think, I would also be unsure how to help somebody like me.

But the most important thing is to talk with each other!