Inhalt:
.Assistance in Austria
Martin Kopper: I live in an association, the Verein Balance, I live in Böckgasse and have a 40 square metre one-bedroom flat. At the weekends I am usually with my parents. ? The infrastructure is very good, since it is close to Meidlinger Hauptstrasse with many shops ? lots of opportunities for shopping.
Announcer: In Balance 10 carers work in shifts around the clock. If Martin Kopper needs assistance, he rings for the staff on duty any time of day. Of course he can?t choose, who will come, he has become used to this a while ago. If you want to visit him, you must press the bell for Balance at the intercom. Although he has a key, he can?t open the doors on the outside on his own. There is no automatic door opener.
Martin Kopper: I experience it as pleasurable to be able to be with people when I want to. Since I have a flat, I have enough space to be on my own.
When I moved it, it was just starting up and I could choose. I could choose, which flat I wanted and thus I chose the last one, since I get maximum silence there.
Announcer: Martin Kopper is 44 years old, lives with a spastic disability and chronic rheumatism and uses an electric wheelchair.
Martin Kopper: This shared housing I live in is whole day cared, i.e. care is available 24 hours a day. Thus I don?t have to go shopping. ? If I don?t really want, I can order it or take it from home.
Usually we eat in the communal rooms over there ? and once a week I am on table duty and I set the tables. ? There are also employed cleaners.
Announcer: Martin Kopper decides his day?s schedule independently and he can organize it flexibly. His studies are a priority. Most of the daytime he spends at the university.
Martin Kopper: I can do rather little on my own, but I am actually looked after very well here.
...........You are entirely free. .... If I want to have a shower in the afternoon, I can have a shower in the afternoon; if I want to get up at 10 o?clock, I can get up at 10 o?clock.
