Sebastian Waechter – That's how he rolls

What makes you laugh?

Sebastian Waechter: If I can fool around with my girlfriend and/or good friends on a relaxed evening and we don't take ourselves too seriously – preferably with a good glass of wine. Since five months also my little niece always brings a smile to my lips...

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

Sebastian Waechter: I've been wanting to do a parachute jump for a few years now. However, it is not because I do not dare, but because every provider of tandem parachute jumps has rejected me because of my height and my paralysis height (1.98 meters; C5 cross-section). So if someone knows a provider who can do that, let me know.

Which person has influenced you most? And why?

Sebastian Waechter: I don't have THE one person who has influenced me the most. But in fact I have had the luck in my life so far that some people have supported me actively and voluntarily, especially during my time as a student. At a time when I was dependent on welfare, they helped me to assert myself against the windmills of health insurance companies and social welfare offices. This has allowed me to experience the value of volunteer work for myself, which is why I am now a volunteer peer at the Association for the Promotion of Paraplegics.

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

Sebastian Waechter: It would be a matter of concern to me to improve the funding opportunities for training and further education programs for people with disabilities. Especially for people with disabilities, the highest possible qualification is all the more important. At the same time, I would take companies up to their obligation to hire more people with disabilities. I believe that the most important aspect of inclusion is the integration of people with disabilities into the workplace.

Sebastian Waechter: To help people – both with and without disabilities – make the most of themselves and develop their full potential. Unfortunately, we often get in the way of ourselves through doubts, fears and other negative thoughts. It is incredibly satisfying for me to see what development is possible for many if you work together with them on their own barriers. Hence my concept "Accessible thinking".

I would like to be...

Sebastian Waechter: ...just me. It's my conviction that it shouldn't be the goal to be someone else but to be the best version of yourself. I think that's the right way to satisfaction and success.

Which question would you like answered the most?

Sebastian Waechter: Whether people are really mentally ready for the upcoming massive changes of the next decades. Because it will depend on it whether the whole thing will be successful or whether it will lead to chaos and resistance.

What I finally want to say...

Sebastian Waechter: No one else but ourselves is responsible for our lives. So we should stop feeling sorry for ourselves and become active instead. So we will get the best out of our lives. I am affected by the quote: "Whoever becomes a victim may have had bad luck. Those who remain victims are to blame themselves."