Meike Mittmeyer-Riehl - That's how she rolls

Discovering new cultures and people and coming closer to herself as a consequence – Meike Mittmeyer-Riehl loves travelling and her cat which makes her laugh every day. She wants to put the topic of young stroke patients more into public’s eye and advocates for a more tolerant world with more humanity. What she has always been wanting to do, she tells us on REHACARE.com.

When did you last laugh heartily and what about?

Meike Mittmeyer-Riehl: My cat Kira makes me laugh every day when she is doing crazy things.

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

Meike Mittmeyer-Riehl: I always wanted to sing a song of my favourite band "Green Day" on a stage at karaoke – but I’m afraid that I do not strike any right note.

Which person has influenced you most?

Meike Mittmeyer-Riehl: My father had worked in air travel industry and travelled the whole world – partly together with me. My enthusiasm for travelling shaped my whole life and it is unbowed to date. I love to discover new places and cultures and I have learned a lot thus (also about myself).

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

Meike Mittmeyer-Riehl: I would hold a feast where people with and without disabilities, of any nationality and skin colour can play, eat and laugh together, to get to know each other and to overcome prejudices.

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

Meike Mittmeyer-Riehl: Franka Potente, because she was running with such a speed and energy through life in "Run Lola run" like I did before my serious disease. I have learned to stop after that. I think, she would be perfect to represent that character development. 

I would like to be ...

Meike Mittmeyer-Riehl: … an astronaut.

Which questions would you like answered the most?

Meike Mittmeyer-Riehl: Why do people not manage to live peacefully? And: Are we the only ones in outer space?

What I finally want to say...

Meike Mittmeyer-Riehl: The pressure in our society increases more and more: The pressure to be the best in job, to be beautiful, to have a perfect family and a perfect live. We are all trapped in a rat race and rush through life, but do not get ahead anyway. Many people change their opinions through a serious disease. I wish we would find to that insight much earlier. Being pleased about small things, laughing more often and being patient could be a first step. Nobody is perfect, but life is so beautiful – and can pass so fast.