Marion Bender – That's how she rolls

What makes you laugh?

Marion Bender: I love to laugh together with dear people. Often there is no need for a directly obvious reason.

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

Marion Bender: I would like to do a tandem paragliding flight. But I'm not sure how my cervical spine feels about that... ;-)

Which person has influenced you most? And why?

Marion Bender: Life has always given me the right, wonderful people and animals at my side on my way. I'm very grateful for that!

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

Marion Bender: I'll be committed to alternative forms of living with shared assistance, for a self-determined life. I'll speak in companies about a topic I'm passionate about – diversity. I believe in the fact that people in wheelchairs, for example, have enormous potential and are often underestimated.

What is especially near and dear to you?

Marion Bender: It is particularly important to me that I, as a speaker and in my voluntary work, inspire and motivate people – whether with or without wheels under their butts – to live their lives step by step, regardless of the current situation, and not the life of someone else. I would like to encourage people to question and break down supposed boundaries in their heads. 

I would like to be ...

Marion Bender: I don't want to be anyone else. I love myself just the way I am!

Which question would you like to be answered the most?

Marion Bender: I like to ask myself "open" questions so that I do not limit myself in my possibilities from the beginning. For example: What do I really want?

What I still wanted to say...

Marion Bender: I believe that life is always on our side – even if we find it hard to believe in crises. Every crisis leaves us with the choice of either staying where we are or honestly looking at our current life and taking new paths.