Community Day at REHACARE: Leisure, culture, and new perspectives

For Fabiana Kühl, her motto in life is more than just a saying: "Fake it till you make it". Even as a child, when her eyesight was gradually deteriorating, she developed strategies to cope with it. She invented a secret language with a friend, for example by squeezing hands when climbing stairs, and played the game "pretend I can see something". She was often proud when no one noticed how poorly she could actually see.

At the same time, she experienced discrimination, exclusion, and bullying until she finally transferred to Blista in Marburg, where she was able to learn in an inclusive environment. Later, during her studies, she transferred her motto to the digital world and started a YouTube channel – based on the principle of simply giving it a try. Today, as a mother, she reflects on these experiences and also spoke about the pain of losing her sight. At the same time, she encouraged others to look ahead: pretending to already be where you want to be can be a powerful motivator.

Sina Schachel did not let prejudice deter her: she was repeatedly told that she could not keep a dog in a wheelchair and would not be able to care for her animals properly. But with perseverance, support from her husband, and a lot of training with a dog trainer, she proved the opposite. Today, she lives with three dogs, two of which are rescue dogs, who shape her everyday life and her health. “My dogs are my daily physical therapy,” she emphasized.

A key experience for her was participating in the outdoor event Camp Canis. On obstacle courses through mud, water, and sand, she used a Hippocampe outdoor wheelchair and overcame obstacles that are not actually designed for wheelchair users. Her motto: Just do it! Together with her team and her dogs, she found solutions that showed her that boundaries can be pushed.

For Luca Veda, it all began in 2023 at a local festival: Back then, he performed in front of around 800 people – nervous, but full of enthusiasm. Today, he regularly performs at festivals, was a finalist in the 2024 Tante Mia Festival's "New Talent" DJ contest, and is now part of lineups that include big names like David Guetta. As a DJ in a wheelchair, he experiences barriers firsthand: steps or muddy paths to the stage can be insurmountable. "Often, a simple ramp is all I need to get to the main stage," he emphasized.

His technical equipment is quite uncomplicated: a compact mixing console that he can operate without any adjustments and a black box on stage – a fan heater, as he is sensitive to the cold. Above all, it is important for him to communicate his needs clearly: Organizers should have the opportunity to remove barriers in advance. In addition to music, he is also involved in academic research on the topic, writing his bachelor's thesis on accessible festivals. At the end of his presentation, he called on the audience: "Do what you enjoy – and make the most of your time."

published on: October 10, 2025