More empathy and less fear in contact with people with disabilities
15/01/2025
Inspiring and encouraging others: This is always a personal concern for Kim Cremer. After a motorcycle accident, he wears a prosthetic leg, is passionate about sport and wants to motivate other people with prostheses. In the interview on REHACARE.com, he explains why he would like to invent an assistive device for people with visual impairments and why, in his opinion, social media does not fulfill its purpose completely satisfactorily.
Name: Kim Cremer Age: 38 City: Mettmann (Germany) Occupation: Communication manager Disability: Prosthetic leg wearer
For Kim Cremer, sport is simply part of a successful day.
What makes aday a good day to you?
Kim Cremer: Balancing work, sport and family in a satisfactory way and making the right compromises.
Which day or moment in your life do you particularly like to remember? And why?
Kim Cremer: There are quite a few. My favorites are the ones where I was told "You wouldn't be able to do that!" and I managed to surprise people as well as myself.
What has been the biggest challenge in your life so far and how did you overcome it?
Kim Cremer: The pain after my motorcycle accident. I went through a hell of pain for 4 years. I wouldn't wish the experiences, moods and inner destruction on anyone.
Which assistive devices are indispensable for you in everyday life and why?
Kim Cremer: My prosthetic leg – walking without it means always having my hands full.
If you could invent your own assistive device, what would it look like and what would it have to be able to do?
Kim Cremer: A contact lens or similar that allows blind people to see again. There are already many options for hearing people, but giving someone their sight back would be an idea!
Sport is an essential part of Kim Cremer's life and he is always happy when he can motivate others to try sports as well.
What do you wish for from society and your fellow human beings in dealing with people with disabilities?
Kim Cremer: Empathy and less fear. Social media is supposed to help break down barriers, but it fuels fear in some people because they are unsure how to address people with disabilities. So they prefer not to.
If nothing were impossible: Who would you like to meet, what place would you like to visit or what time would you like to experience? And why?
Kim Cremer: I would like to show my grandparents what life has given us, especially their grandchildren. I would like to travel to Thailand to join a Muay Thai camp for 4 weeks without a cell phone. I don't have a special time that I would like to relive. There's a reason why I'm here the way I am.
Are there certain topics or initiatives relating to people with disabilities that are particularly close to your heart?
Kim Cremer: I love helping people to break down the barriers in their minds, to encourage them and take away their fears. Whether it's with recent amputees who are afraid of what's to come or with active prosthesis users who want to learn sporting activities.
Tell us something about yourself that might surprise us.
Kim Cremer: I don't like being alone, but I don't feel like asking people if they have time.
What significance does REHACARE have for you?
Kim Cremer: Educating, networking, breaking barriers. I love the days at the trade fair, even if they take up a lot of energy.
What's still on my mind...
Kim Cremer: Don't believe everything you see.
Kim Cremer guided interested journalists through the REHACARE 2024 press tour. Experience the highlights again here: