Vandalism against wheelchairs: Senior woman desperately fights for help!

Vandalism against wheelchairs: Senior woman desperately fights for help!

63-year-old Gabi Messerer lives in the Isarvorstadt in Munich and has been dependent on a wheelchair for over a decade. Her impairment results from symptoms of paralysis that she suffered while hiking in the mountains. Gabi not only struggles with the physical challenges, but also with the everyday hurdles of accessibility and support in her own environment. Two years ago, her wheelchair parking space in the courtyard was removed, which made her situation much more difficult. The attempt to store her wheelchair in the basement failed because the ramp was too steep and deemed too dangerous. “I have no place where I can safely put my things,” complains Gabi. Instead, her large electric wheelchair now sits in the stairwell, blocking the entrance and becoming a constant source of trouble.

To make matters worse, her lightweight electric wheelchair, which she can use independently, was recently damaged after it was left in the garbage shed. Since the wheelchair is not insured, Gabi now has to try to find the necessary funds for a new E-Fix wheelchair. Her financial situation is tense, she lives on citizen's money and the health insurance company has no way of financing a new wheelchair for her because she has already paid for the large wheelchair. Gabi has already contacted the Council for the Disabled, but still needs support.

Accessibility in focus

The problem of accessibility runs like a common thread through the lives of many people with disabilities. According to information from Lebenshilfe.de, it is crucial to break down barriers in order to enable self-determined mobility for all people. Access to public transport plays an important role here. Unfortunately, the legally required goal of all public transport being barrier-free by January 1, 2022 will not be achieved. People with disabilities often experience obstacles in everyday life such as blocked sidewalks and inadequately equipped means of transport.

As the Institute for Human Rights reports, self-determined mobility is a human right. The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities obliges the state to create conditions that enable self-determined mobility. But despite these regulations, many people's everyday lives are still characterized by barriers. In Munich, the city is trying to offer advice to support people with disabilities in converting their homes. However, access to barrier-free public transport options often remains difficult and is difficult for many to use.

Looking for solutions

The city of Munich could be called upon to take a pioneering role in finding solutions to the challenges faced by people with disabilities. Gabi Messererer and many others in a similar situation are urgently asking the question of how comprehensive accessibility can be implemented not only in theory but also in practice. The local transport plan must urgently take into account the needs of people with disabilities in order to enable everyone to get around independently. The road there is rocky, but essential - not only for Gabi Messerer's quality of life, but for society as a whole.

We can only hope that appropriate measures will be taken soon to create an inclusive Munich for everyone, in which no one is left behind.

For more information, you can find articles from here tz, Life support and Institute for Human Rights.