Felix Seiterle is dependent on his assistant 24 hours a day, and also on an electric wheelchair during the day. The man from Munich has been chronically ill since birth, “spinal muscular atrophy type IC” is the current term. Muscular dystrophy. At the beginning of the 2020 pandemic, the SZ accompanied him on one of his trips to the doctor, despite Corona, because the treatment is good for him. “I’d rather live than not die,” he explained. What does the 27-year-old say two and a half years later?
SZ: Mr. Seiterle, how are you?
Felix Seiterle: I got infected with Corona a few weeks ago. But I survived the variant unscathed. I find my strength in meditation. I’m more concerned with other topics than Corona.
Which?
On Monday evening I went swimming in the Erding thermal baths and then, at a quarter to ten in the evening, I wanted to take the S-Bahn back to Munich with my assistant (a supervisor, editor’s note) as usual. But the S-Bahn was canceled and only rail replacement taxis (SEV) drove from Markt Schwaben to Leuchtenbergring. We were in Altenerding. We had already tried to call DB headquarters, but couldn’t reach anyone. Various taxis passed us, but none could take me and my electric wheelchair.
What was the problem?
Apparently there was no wheelchair space in the cars. In the taxi office they informed me that they had no free capacity. After two hours I was completely frozen. As if by a miracle, a private taxi from the SEV, which happened to have had its car converted a few years ago, came and took us. We got home on the last subway around 2 a.m.
Do you experience something like this often?
It’s a system problem. The thermal bath is an example. For me, the thermal water is essential there. It has a positive effect on my body. In the water I feel the gravitational force weaker, in a pool I can even lie in the water without help and only have to hold on to two poles. This is special because it is the only way for me to get by without helpers. I occasionally have pain before going to the thermal baths, but it was always gone the evening after. I go there every week, I hope that the regularity will improve my health in the long term. That costs me a lot of money and is therefore problematic.
Which pools do you use?
So far I have always gone to the vitality oasis with its three healing pools: calcium water, water with selenium and iodine – and salt water. Due to my limitations, I can only use a very small part of the thermal baths. That’s why I asked the thermal baths for a discount. After a long exchange of letters, a 25 percent discount was granted, plus a free hour for each visit. That’s great from the Therme Erding and shows that it’s worth investigating.
Have the tariffs been adjusted or is this an exclusive offer for you?
As far as I know, it only applies to me, I would have liked it if I had achieved something for others in a comparable situation. But at least.
What was the rationale for the spa?
The employee who gave me the discount was very friendly. He explained that he could understand my arguments. That I should actually get a 90 percent discount because I can only use ten percent. According to the employee, the debate about handling people with disabilities is being conducted internally, but there is still no good solution.
How did your physics bachelor’s degree continue?
I have now graduated and am now training to become a business mediator at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce.
Do you like it?
I really enjoy it, I had my first training session last weekend. In the coming year I would like to become self-employed and found the mediation office Seiterle.
Why are you going this route?
I’m very limited in my choice of career, I don’t have to kid myself about it. Nevertheless, it is important to me to give something back to society. Something that adds value.
What do you mean?
Well, I ended up getting a lot too. The TU Munich gave me a lot of support. If I needed anything, special equipment, like a screen that worked for me in addition to the laptop, I got it right away. Non-disabled students are not entitled to this. But above all my round-the-clock support from great assistants. I’m incredibly grateful for that.
How accessible is Munich?
One would have to go into the subject more on the individuals. Almost every disability has specific non-universal needs. That’s why I write letters to the thermal baths – and complain about situations like the one with the taxis on Monday.