Lilli Zeifert has already seen a lot of the world. Perhaps that's why her great love is for what there is still to discover beyond the Earth: Whatever there is to find out about astrophysics – Lilli wants to know. Who she thinks are the smartest minds of all time, what she would like to discuss with them and how she otherwise rolls, she tells us on REHACARE.com.
Name: Lilli Zeifert Age: 19 City: Werder, Germany Occupation: High school graduate, national fellow speaker of Netzwerk Teilchenwelt of the TU Dresden, musical reviewer of Musicalzentrale Impairment: Dyskinetic cerebral palsy
Lilli Zeifert: For me, a day is a good day when I have a new inspiration for a task or an interesting project.
Which auxiliary means or daily living aids are indispensable for you?
Lilli Zeifert: For me, my wheelchair for getting around, my iPad for talking and a 24-hour aid are indispensable. Soon I will also get a special power wheelchair (the Scewo Bro) that can climb stairs. What would you like to see from society and your fellow people in dealing with people with disabilities?
Lilli Zeifert: I would wish for more openness from society in dealing with people with disabilities. Openness and less prejudice.
Which assistive device would urgently need to be invented and/or improved?
Lilli Zeifert: What should be further developed is the possible prospect of converting thoughts into speech.
What has been your biggest challenge so far that you have mastered – and what has helped you to do so? Lilli Zeifert: I think the biggest challenge in my life so far was the world sailing I did with my parents for four years. We were in many countries and saw many cultures and different ways of life. That was nice, but it could also be exhausting at times. Of course, we also sometimes experienced situations on the seas where we really hoped that we would get through it in one piece. On the ship, I couldn't use my wheelchair and also had to do school on board. Sometimes there was no internet and therefore no connection to the outside world for me. And especially going to the toilet in high waves could be a big challenge. However, I wouldn't trade this time for anything in the world, because it gave me the chance to see many beautiful countries, meet wonderful people and have priceless experiences.
If nothing would be impossible: Who would you like to meet one day and why?
Lilli Zeifert: If everything were possible, I would want to meet Stephen Hawking, Albert Einstein and Isaac Newton at the same time and have them discuss the beginning of the universe, as these three were the smartest minds of all time.
What was your best REHACARE experience?
Lilli Zeifert: At REHACARE, I was allowed to test the power wheelchair I will get soon, the Scewo Bro, for the second time. That was very nice.
What I finally want to say...
Lilli Zeifert: About my disability: I am in a wheelchair, I can't speak verbally and I can't control my entire upper body and arms, which is why I do everything with my feet. I also have very strong facial twitches.
