Kim Elena do Calvário Moquenco - That's how she rolls

Whether it is ice skating, modeling or writing a blog – trying out new things and fulfilling herself is especially important for Kim Elena do Calvário Moquenco. Also, she has many ideas for her assignment as German Federal Commissioner for the Disabled. Who are her heroes and what makes her angry about movies portraying people with disabilities, she tells us at REHACARE.com.

When did you last laugh heartily and what about?

Kim Elena do Calvário Moquenco: Just yesterday, when I filmed an eCasting video for a new model job. At one point, I talked absolute nonsense and had to laugh about myself.

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

Kim Elena do Calvário Moquenco: In general, I'm a person who loves to try out new things and who wants to fulfil her full potential. That starts with apparently little things like climbing or ice skating. With a physical disability, this is of course not the most natural thing to do. But in the end, I did it my own way. Both can be seen on my YouTube channel. And this brings me to my self-realization: For a long time, I toyed with the idea of recording my thoughts and experiences in a blog. With this I want to address other people, especially people with disabilities. That is why my blog and my YouTube channel with the name Kin Moquenco have been formed. I believe, I thought I wasn’t capable of doing some things because of my disability and therefore didn't take the risk to try them out. I want to change that. Even with a disability, or perhaps exactly because of that I can do so many things.   

Which person has influenced you most?

Kim Elena do Calvário Moquenco: So far, my parents have influenced me the most and I would call them both my role models and my heroes. They showed me what it means to love and to support someone unconditionally. In all these years they have been right beside me they tried to educate me into a confident and independent person. Without them, I couldn't have experience many chances and successes in my live.

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

Kim Elena do Calvário Moquenco: That is a difficult task because there are many things that have to be done! I'd like to psychologically train the nursing staff in care facilities. Furthermore, I would abolish the law around the income and fortune limit which concern the people who are dependent on assistance. I think it's a shame that these people cannot save more than 2,600 euros. I'd like to talk to Mr Schäuble and all the other high-ranking politicians of our country. I'd like to ask them why the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is being implemented so slowly and whether they are interested at all in implementing it.

Moreover, I would launch a media campaign that draws society's attention at the interests of people with disabilities and that at the same time destroys the barriers and inhibitions in the minds of our society. In this campaign, I'd let the people with disabilities talk and give them a voice.

Kim Elena do Calvário Moquenco: I can't answer this question because there isn't a person who could represent me. Sure, there are people in my surrounding who witness with which challenges I am confronted every day. But nobody can reflect and show my feelings for certain situations and topics like myself.

I don't know how you feel, but for me it is particularly bad to see a person with disabilities being played by a healthy actor. I ask myself, why this is the case. This actor can never convey the story with all its highs and lows like the person who has lived through them or who was confronted with something similar.

I would like to be ...

Kim Elena do Calvário Moquenco: To be honest, I don't want to be anyone else. Until now my life was most certainly not very easy, but I lived through all ups and downs and I feel strong. I wish that in some situations the hurdles wouldn't have been this many. But everyone has to carry his or hers burden. One person a heavier and one person a lighter one. The most important thing is what we make of it.

Which questions would you like answered the most?

Kim Elena do Calvário Moquenco: Who is up there and comes up with all these life stories and why.

What I finally want to say...

Kim Elena do Calvário Moquenco: … is that we all have to stand together to promote and to improve the rights of people with disabilities. Stand for yourself and never give up. Follow your dreams and get out of your comfort zone and try something new. Then, we can accomplish quite a few things.