Friends for Freedom: A Signal Goes around the World

Once they were only carer and the cared for, today they are inseparable friends: Theo Döhler and the spastic Jens Müller travel around the world and show with their project „Social Signal“ how a self-determined life can look like.

01.05.2011

Jens Müller and Theo Döhler;
© private

An old Mercedes, a tent and a wheel chair: These are the most important things which the disabled Jens Müller and his carer Theo Döhler, when they travel around once a year. Together the Saxons have already seen the most different areas, like Morocco, the Caucasus and Turkey.

Theo got to know Jens and his granny who had been caring for her grandson over 30 years, in 1997. One evening she asked Theo for help with Jens because she was ill. In the same night she passed away and Theo had to decide what should happen to Jens. “I did not want to continue working, while he had to go into a care home,“ he remembers.

So the qualified nurse brought Jens to his home –additionally to his three small children and all possible consequences. Jens needs constant care. Thus, Theo even quit his job as a nurse; with the effect that he receives merely the nursing money since this time.

Back to the roots - the friends do not need a lot on their trips; © private

The right decision

However, the philanthropic Theo does not regret his step: “Of course this is a disaster financially if one thinks that a nursing home receives a multiple in money for an all-round care. This is quite discriminating. However, money is not the only thing that counts. At that time, I asked myself what I want to do with my life. And for me these were the only right things,“ he knows.

And he appreciates the advantages: “Finally, Jens is my only boss. Actually, it does not matter where I care for him. Moreover, I could always be with my children. Who is able to do this? Not for all the money in the world I would never do it differently.“

When family and friends are making music, Jens gets the mike and sings. He loves the music. Because of his spastic paralysis his words are very incomprehensible. However, Theo understands him meanwhile – mostly, in any case. „And often also without words,“ according to the carer. “I believe, Jens knows more about me than any other person and he is so patient. I would not react in such a way if I could do nothing alone like him.”

Together with Theo, Jens has seen the sea for the first time; © private

The peripatetic Saxons are constantly together. “Jens decides where we should go to when he watched reports on television, for example. He has a really good memory and would be able to guide me through Russia and back without map,“ says Theo appreciatively.

Pictures instead of words

In the last year they drove 13,000 kilometres through Russia. Besides, they showed the photos of their trips in slide shows in many towns. With the name “Social signal“ they have brought to life a project with which they encourage people with handicaps all over the world to fulfil their dreams: “Over and over again we meet people with handicap abroad who think that they are not able to do this,“ reports Theo. “They are Often just sitting there doing nothing. We want to achieve that there is an international disabled pass which enables people in the whole world to receive rebates and to be able to go travelling or things like that.“

Jens has become a role model for some
people with handicap; © privat

All year round - except in summer – they present slide shows with their own music. They will not make them rich. But the reactions of the spectators are worth the trouble to them.“ It is wonderful that people believe in what we say,“ knows the Saxon.

“For a picture says more than a long talk. After a show during their tour through Russia, a man in a wheel chair took the courage to make his wish come true to go fishing – for the first time. Before he had seen Jens he thought, he was not able to do this. Jens showed him that it can work.“

By the trips and the shows Jens grows in confidence, is glad about the positive reactions of the spectators and the new contacts. “The people who know Jens from former times told me that he had changed. Now he is a real counterpart,“ says his friend and is glad.

The two Saxons enjoy their trips - even if they are sometimes a bit prickly; © private

At the moment the two are prepare with „Social Signal“ for the REHACARE fair in Russia which takes place in June. As an ambassador of the Russian organisation „bezgraniz“ what means as much as „without borders“ they will also present their pictures there for a self-determined life of people with handicap.

Natascha Mörs
REHACARE.de

- More about the Social Signal at: www.sozialsignal.de