Nadja Schmid – That's how she rolls

What makes you laugh?

Nadja Schmid: I especially like people who are a bit overwhelmed when they meet me for the first time and don't know exactly whether they should shake my hand or not. But this often settles very quickly and we laugh about it together.

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

Nadja Schmid: I have always wanted to travel to India and visit Goa. I am incredibly fascinated by this culture. I think the way of life of the Buddhists is more like mine than ours here in Germany. Living in harmony with the earth, nature and animals is so wonderful. I would like to combine my trip with getting more familiar with the way of life and spirituality. But travelling to India in a wheelchair is a big challenge and therefore only one of my dreams so far.

Which person has influenced you most? And why?

Nadja Schmid: This is definitely my partner John. He always makes me feel that despite my disability nothing is impossible. We travelled to Thailand and there were a lot of difficult situations. Despite these difficulties he always gave me the feeling that it would work. I am a very positive and strong person, but with a partner like John, life just turns out to be even easier. He is incredible!

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

Nadja Schmid: To be able to offer life with assistance and without any restrictions. Every person – with or without disability – should be free to decide how and where to live. Unfortunately, we are still far away from the fact that a person with a disability is able and allowed to lead a self-determined life. The assistance contribution would improve this a little. That is why I am also privately committed to CléA (www.clea.app). We as an association want to promote life with assistance and therefore we are building a platform that will facilitate the search of assistants.

What is especially near and dear to you?

Nadja Schmid: For me it is very essential not to be or appear disabled to others. For example, it is a big difference for me if I say "I am disabled" or "I have a disability". If you are ill, don't say "I am the influenza", but "I have the influenza". The disability is only a part of me and does not make up my life.

Additionally, it is very important for me to be in harmony with nature. I pay attention to nature by living as ecological as possible and producing as little waste as possible. I eat healthy, because this also helps to prevent my disability from progressing. For me, a positive attitude towards life is the principle for a happy life.

I do not take any medication, but treat my body only with essential oils and natural products.

I have changed all my principles of life and have been happy and healthy ever since. I am just full of energy and feel good with it.

I would like to be...

Nadja Schmid: …a magician who enchances the whole world. I would stop the famine and wars, I would like to create a good substitute for plastic, which is ecologically sustainable. I would remove the plastic from the oceans and in the twinkling of an eye I would release the animals from all the suffering that humans inflict on them. The invention of meat substitutes would eliminate much of this suffering.

The world would experience equality and peace. There would be no illness and hatred any more.

And at least, quite selfishly, just for me: a white horse that takes me everywhere and can fly so that I can travel the whole world without a plane.

No, I would not heal myself, because only through this disability I have learned all this wisdom and have become what I am today. One horse that gives me accessibility is sufficient for me.

Which question would you like to be answered the most?

Nadja Schmid: I have already found answers to many questions in my life. So there is no specific question I have. Some things in life you just should not know.

What I still wanted to say...

Nadja Schmid: You have to think one way or another, so why not think positively? Those who think positively will reap positive results.