Despite Lyme disease, Mügelner takes off as a pop singer and is on TV

Seelitz. Rene Rumberger is on the stage. His facial features are relaxed, you can see the anticipation in his eyes. The preparations are complete, the posters were put up a few days earlier, the stage has been set up and the guests have arrived. He presents hits from the 60s and 70s with passion and dedication. The Seelitzer – Seelitz is a district of Mügeln – stands in front of its audience for an hour and creates a good atmosphere. If you look closely, this is a small miracle. The 44-year-old is actually confined to a wheelchair and his muscles are badly damaged. In 2014 he was diagnosed with Lyme disease. This disease – caused by a tick bite – led to an incomplete paraplegia, which put him permanently in a wheelchair.

An orthotic system specially patented for paraplegic patients and people with neurological diseases enables them to walk, stand and walk as much as possible with sensory support. This would not be possible without these special orthoses. The wheelchair itself is and will continue to be his companion.

Focused on singing

Music and his partner, whom he met through a single portal for people with disabilities, give him strength. Even if he had to overcome many difficulties, he is a person who always finds new courage and never gives up. In addition to his diagnosis, the course of which could also make him a patient requiring ventilation, he had to give up his actual job as a showman due to the illness. After all, he wanted to start a fresh life with a lard bakery. He could be found with his chariot at festivals in the towns and villages of the region. But then Corona came and the conditions became increasingly difficult. In the meantime, the entire inventory has been sold, the baker’s apron packed in the closet.

What was a sad setback was an opportunity for him to focus more on his music. It was here that he found his real passion. So he was already with his pop shows in Gotha, Aschersleben, Heinichen, Wurzen and elsewhere. He fondly remembers a women’s day celebration this year, where visitors aged 20 to 60 could sing along to all the hits. “You can also tell at city festivals that people really go for the music,” says Rene Rumberger. Bookings for festivals or Christmas markets are still possible by calling 0172 4475217. For the Christmas season he has developed a special hit Christmas program for which he has not only the classic Christmas carols but also other well-known songs in his luggage.

Documentary soap about the Mügelner is created

Now the TV station VOX wants to shoot a docu-soap about him. “I like to apply to any television portal. That’s when I noticed a series where people had to give up their old lives and start anew. Weeks after applying, I got a call. Now we’re shooting regularly for the series ‘New Life – New Happiness’, which will probably be broadcast in late autumn,” says the 44-year-old. On July 22, he is near Koblenz to talk to pop legend Bata Illic. “We will talk, exchange ideas and he will listen to my new song,” says Rene Rumberger, revealing that he is planning his own song. There is also a music video. However, he does not want to reveal any further details just yet.

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Other media keep coming back to him. Focus Online recently reported on his life and his illness. That is why he is repeatedly written to by those affected and asked for advice. “Recently a woman contacted me who was also diagnosed with Lyme disease. Here, too, treatment was delayed for too long. Sometimes the symptoms appear much later. Then it is difficult to conclude on the tick bite. Nobody should be fooled into thinking it’s psychological. I was first suspected of having MS. Until it was finally known, many misdiagnoses were made. I like to refer to Dr. Berghoff from Rheinbach near Bonn. He correctly diagnosed me.”

“The disease is an asshole!”

Even if Rene Rumberger is full of energy, especially when he’s on stage, he occasionally has flare-ups with phases of pain. “It is important to give the body the opportunity to regenerate. Get plenty of rest and avoid stress,” he recommends. His state of health is often dependent on the weather. He is glad that his general condition has not deteriorated any further.

“Borreliosis is an insidious disease that no one is immune to. Some people take it well, others who already have weak immune systems have a harder time. Vaccination is also a topic that comes up again and again. And I have to say clearly: No! There is still no vaccine for Lyme disease. This is still being researched. I can only say again and again: If a tick has bitten and a red circle forms, you should definitely go to the doctor and insist on a blood test. If it is not recognized early and not treated, the disease is an asshole!” For those affected, he also recommends the Lyme disease self-help group in Grimma.

Rene Rumberger is not discouraged and focuses on his singing career. In the coming year he will also be seen on television on “Always Again on Sundays”. A few appointments are still free in his calendar and he is hoping for more bookings. Because on stage he can forget the heaviness of everyday life.

LVZ