“I’m a person who is a bit guided by his feelings. And my feeling just told me, that fits, that works, that’s going to go well.”
Bernd Mann
Tenacity, strong will and sometimes some weirdness, at least in the eyes of others, have guided me in my life. – and now led to my book “severely disabled, slightly cuckoo.” I think our attitude to life has helped us overcome many obstacles. Maybe also my growing up in the countryside, probably a smorgasbord of a lot of things. Despite the great challenge posed by Christian’s disability, we managed to live a halfway normal life and explore the world a bit on different journeys. My wish would be to instill confidence and confidence in as many people as possible, non-disabled and disabled. In your own intuition, your own desires, into your own heart, to try the things that make you really happy. Christian has been my best driend for over 25 years. We got to know each other during my civil service. Back then, I was mentoring Christian in a clinic. We became friends – and have remained friends to this day. Often more is possible than you might think. Doubts have plagued me, too. In myself, in my abilities, in my mind. Often only because I have come across a mild smile or even rejection. I didn’t want to lose, I didn’t want to give up, though, even if it was me again and again after that. Today I know there is almost always a way, but it is also important to have people around you who stand by one. Ideas can only be realized if you start to implement them. Step by step, not to look scared at the whole mountain, but just start with it. I hope Christian and I can give you a bit of courage for your ideas and your way.
I, Bernd, slightly cuckoo: Why am I saying this of me? Because normality is a matter of position. “You’re crazy!” I’ve heard countless times in my life. At first, when I started caring about Christian a little more often than “normal”. Then, when my fellows attested to me a threatening helper syndrome. And then when I was called a hopeless case. Crazy? I am not, or maybe I am, who wants to judge that. I’m crazy about lavender honey with sheep’s cheese. Maybe I’m slightly loco, too. I like that. Because it has brought many unforgettable experiences to Christian and me.