Inhalt:
.Assistance in Austria
Announcer: He doesn?t think about moving flats, but could only imagine it in order to move together with a companion.
Martin Kopper: I don?t know, what will happen, how I?ll go on, since I?ll finish my studies soon and I want to work 20 hours a week.
Moderation: Bernadette Feuerstein uses a wheelchair. She has been living with personal assistants since her studies. She works for the consumerism department of the Ministry of social affairs and is currently on sick leave grace period for her daughter Lea:
Bernadette Feuerstein: She is already at the age, where she knows, how it works. When, for example, she wants to get on my lap, she comes up and asks: "Mummy up?", because it is not always possible. And when I say yes, she goes to the assistant and says "mummy up" and she lifts her up, since I can?t lift her from the floor. Then we look into a book, sing together or do whatever she wants to do with me!
Announcer: Bernadette Feuerstein lives in a spacious flat in an old Viennese house that was specially adapted for her:
Bernadette Feuerstein: The doors must have a certain width and the bathroom must be big enough. Thank god, my flat is big enough. I live here with Bernhard, my partner, and our daughter Lea.
Announcer: Lea determines her mother?s rhythm which starts in the morning:
Bernadette Feuerstein: First thing in the morning Lea comes into our bed, grabs my hand from under the duvet to make sure that I wake up and puts a book into my hand. First thing, I must read a book to her.
Then the assistant on morning duty comes and lifts me out of bed, assists me washing myself, preparing breakfast etc.
Announcer: Assistance is essential for Bernadette Feuerstein. She is the employer of the assistants. She orders whom she needs when. At work, too, she, but also some of her colleagues, need support from assistants.
