Svenja – That's how she rolls

What makes a day a good day to you?

Svenja: A day when I spend time with my family and can just be happy. 

Which auxiliary means or daily living aids are indispensable for you?

Svenja: My wheelchair, without it I would have no freedom and not so much flexibility. At the beginning I didn't want to make friends with it, but it gives you so many possibilities and everyday life became so much easier.

What would you like to see from society and your fellow people in dealing with people with disabilities?

Svenja: That people are more open and do not approach you directly with often (negative) prejudices. Actually, the disability does not matter at all, every person is special in his or her own way.

Which assistive device would urgently need to be invented and/or improved?

Svenja: Something along the lines of an exoskeleton, so that everyone can walk, climb stairs and run again, regardless of their limitations.

What has been your biggest challenge so far that you have mastered – and what has helped you?

Svenja: I would say the pregnancy in the wheelchair and the first months after the birth. Everything worked out much better than we thought it would. Family and friends always support us and we have mastered everything with a lot of optimism really well.

What can the assistive technology industry learn from the Corona pandemic to make life easier and/or better for people with disabilities in the future?

Svenja: Buzzword: digitization! That you could do much more directly from home without always having to be on site. There were such great virtual events, and working in home office was also good for me.

If nothing was impossible: Who would you like to meet one day and why?

Svenja: My dad who passed away much too early.

What was your best REHACARE experience?

Svenja: At REHACARE I saw a Segway as a wheelchair for the first time and from then on I really wanted one! Now I am so infinitely happy with my nino robotics.

What I wanted to say ...

Svenja: Without my disability I would not be the person I am now. And I am proud to be that person and that I can experience such wonderful things in this world. Be proud of yourself too, because you don't have to be perfect to be wonderful.