People with mental disabilities often lack attention and support in their private lives.
That is why there is now the Daremanus Foundation in Holzkirchen.
Founder Wolfgang Burgert explains his concept.
Holzkirchen - People with mental disabilities, such as one of the forms of autism or attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), often lack attention and support in the social and private sphere.
You almost never see how impaired these people are.
Nevertheless, they often find it difficult to make friends.
The Holzkirchen Foundation Daremanus wants to help here.
Wolfgang Burgert (62) is the founder of the new foundation for people with mental disabilities.
It recently received state recognition from the government of Upper Bavaria as a legal foundation.
In an interview with our newspaper, Burgert explains his aid concept.
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Wolfgang Burgert speaks about his new foundation.
© Thomas Plettenberg
Mr Burgert, you founded the new Daremanus Foundation in Holzkirchen. How did you come up with this idea?
I have a 32 year old autistic daughter of my own.
Hence, I am familiar with the problems faced by people with mental and autistic illnesses.
Many facilities, such as the Oberland workshops, do an excellent job.
However, people with mental or autistic disorders often need more individual attention.
Is it different for people with other disabilities?
Yes indeed.
Stairs are insurmountable obstacles for wheelchair users.
We recognize that immediately.
There are insurmountable barriers for people with mental or autistic illnesses, but we do not necessarily recognize them.
The reasons for this are that these people perceive, think and feel differently.
As a result, they often feel very lonely and alone.
So you often had to go through such lonely situations as a father?
Yes.
That makes you very sad, of course.
I would have often wished that there would be more people who just listen to my daughter and take note of her wishes.
How exactly does the foundation intend to help here?
Daremanus should offer a platform, on the one hand for people with mental and autistic disabilities and on the other hand for people who want to help here.
As a foundation, we bring these people together and support their projects.
The name of the foundation is taken from Latin and means something like "giving hands".
“Giving” can be both financial support or in the form of a personal gift, for example through a sponsorship.
So a mediating authority. How should such a sponsorship run as an example?
We want to build bridges between the supervisor and the supervised.
This can be anything.
When we go into the first test phase of our platform, I'll be curious to see what ideas will come up.
For example, someone with a mental handicap seeks access to horses.
Another who wants to help has a horse or accompanies them to therapeutic riding.
After a long wait for recognition: start in spring 2022
Isn't it also a bit dangerous to take on so much responsibility for a disabled person?
Indeed.
We have to create the appropriate framework, see what is possible, and educate.
Liability waivers or liability insurance may also need to be provided for security.
Are there any qualifications required for such a sponsorship?
No, not necessarily.
Of course, knowledge of mental and autistic disorders is very helpful.
And here we will also contribute a lot to the clarification.
But it is essential that the supervisor is present with his own heart and a lot of empathy.
Supervisors and supervisors grow with the experiences they have with each other.
And I hope that this experience and learning from one another will bring joy to both sides.
When does the first test phase begin?
We want to be ready in spring 2022.
We worked for two years to ensure that Daremanus was recognized as a non-profit foundation by the government of Upper Bavaria.
Now we are happy to finally be able to start.
The preparations are already under way.
(Interview conducted by Felicitas Bogner)
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