Hope and Fear on Trial

Breathless at night, because the breathing machine broke down. What if the welfare agency denied you money for assistance at night, because on-call duty is supposed to be enough, when at the same time you only survive such situations, if your assistants are with you immediately? What if you are in a wheelchair, and facing the Stairway to Heaven, is the only option for you a Highway to Hell? So, do you have to lower your hope of salvation, narrow your horizon of happiness? Are you allowed to have expectations at all? Matthias Vernaldi and Rebecca Maskos ask these questions putting hope and fear on trial.

 

Mondkalb (Mooncalf)

Bio – Rebecca Maskos

Rebecca Maskos

Rebecca Maskos, 42, a Bremen native and Berlin expatriate, was trained in psychology and journalism. Worked at a TV and radio station and in support projects for women with disabilities. Is rooted in the disability rights movement and in disability studies, which is also her professional home since about two years now: Currently she is a research assistant at the University of Applied Sciences in Bremen and a Ph.D. candidate in disability studies. Occasionally publishing critical stuff on disability issues and on how to deal with everyday ableism and autonomy fantasies.

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Bio – Matthias Vernaldi

Matthias Vernaldi

Matthias Vernaldi studied theology and began his professional career as a preacher. He has worked as a tarot consultant, author, public relations manager, editor for “Mondkalb – Zeitschrift für das organisierte Gebrechen” and chairman of ambulante dienste e.V.. In 2000, he launched “Sexybilities – Sexuality and Disability” and since 2002 served on the “Landesbeirat für Menschen mit Behinderung” in Berlin (Regional Advisory Council for People with Disabilities in Berlin). Because of a muscular disease, he depends on 24-hour assistive care.

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