She loves traveling, hiking, helping others and her dog Hannah. Natalie H. is young, looks healthy, but: she belongs to the risk group. The group that needs special protection in relation to the corona pandemic. Natalie H. hardly ever spoke about her illness. But now she wants to give the risk group a face. Wants to show: everyone can be affected.
When Natalie H. is at the top of the summit, with the valley and other mountains below, she feels free. Very small and very big and everything at the same time. But above all, she feels happy. Normal. Like most of the others. Natalie H. belongs to the so-called risk group. The word that keeps popping up in connection with the corona pandemic.
According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), risk group means people who, according to previous knowledge, have a higher risk of developing a serious illness. They include older people - the risk increases from 50 to 60 years with age and according to the RKI, people with previous illnesses are just as at risk as people with suppressed immune systems.
Natalie H. from the Dachau district is not old, does not appear to be ill, is not frail. But the corona virus is extremely dangerous for them. Natalie is only 40 years old. For 27 years she has been suffering from the autoimmune disease lupus erythematosus - a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease of the connective tissue that can affect the joints, kidneys, skin, mucous membranes and walls of the blood vessels.
So far, very few people know that Natalie H. is sick. She has always kept that to herself - did not want pity, does not want people to treat her differently, see her differently. Most of them only know her as a travel-loving, happy dog fool who volunteers at the BRK.
Natalie H. looks healthy "like a lot of people who belong to the risk group", she knows. That is why she wants the term to be less abstract, to "give it a face". The current situation is particularly tough for the chronically ill, Natalie knows. "I've only been at home for days, avoid all social contacts - also with my family, whom I love and miss above all ... but it doesn't help."
Natalie H. feels helpless. That's why she now wants to do something to help people understand why it is so important to withdraw and limit yourself now. She simply cannot understand how there can be people at the present time who simply do not care. Like the two men when Natalie H. was walking the dog the other day. Instead of avoiding her, "they came on my sidewalk and then deliberately brushed my arm as I passed."
What may seem like a bad joke to some people can be fatal to Natalie H. when infected. When she thinks of the many who make hamster purchases and don't pay attention to shopping, she gets sick. "I just want to speak for everyone who is physically or mentally not well enough." The 40-year-old really appeals to everyone: "We all belong together. We all have to live more consciously now. Take us all back for the others. Each individual has to lower his ego, just think about what is necessary. Then we can do it! ”For her, heroes include doctors, emergency services, salespeople and truck drivers. "They are all there and there, we also have to give them something back and take care of each other!"
As a young girl and young woman, Natalie has been in hospitals for so long, the more she is now enjoying life, her urge to see the world, her urge to see things positively. At 18, she was in an artificial coma for two weeks after an episode of illness and then had to relearn everything. Natalie knows how important it is to take care of yourself. Nevertheless, others always have an eye on themselves. She has been volunteering at the BRK for two years and is on the road for the emergency services. "It just gives me so much if I can help other people. If I can help them. ”Even if these situations can be dangerous for them. "I can't infect anyone with my illness. The reverse is not the case. But I love to help. "
Natalie H. has to take medication all the time. Part of their basic medication is hydroxychloroquine. A medication that may be used to treat Covid-19 pneumonia. "I wish so much that the patient could be helped with it. I would share my dose immediately if I could help with it now. ”Nevertheless, Natalie H. is also afraid. "I am also worried whether the drug could lead to long-term supply shortages." Nevertheless, the positive thoughts always outweigh them. She always tries to be strong - even for those who care about her. "I always try to see beautiful things now - for example, that nature can just recover a little." Natalie H. loves being outside, loves the mountains, traveling and with her loyal companion, the brown one Labrador bitch Hannah to discover the world.
Natalie H. celebrated her 40th birthday in December. She wanted money from her friends for a backpacking tour of Scotland. She is most looking forward to that after the crisis. "I want to travel again, climb mountains, enjoy nature and work in the emergency services again sometime!"
