"I know how much freedom wheelchair skills give and I love helping people with that!

Our amazing ambassadors help us spread our mission and vision. Together we are strong and thanks to their positivity we make the world look differently at people with challenges. For example, Ambassador Kirsten will be at the Bibian Mentel Playground during the summer kick-off with an inspiring wheelchair skills clinic. Because of lyme, she uses a wheelchair. Now Kirsten teaches wheelchair skills training, helping and inspiring people to go through life more independently and embrace the wheelchair in a positive way.

Kirsten is 22 and has been skiing for about three years now, when she was introduced to chair skiing during the 2021 Mentelity Games. 'Three years ago there was a promotion through We Rolls where you could indicate why you would like to go to the Mentelity Games. I sent in an entry right then. I was just living on my own and we were busy doing odd jobs.' Going with her to Switzerland on her own gave her a huge boost and confidence, she says. 'That first year made me take steps faster to live as independently and freely as possible!'

A few months after the Games, Kirsten met Kees-Jan of the WheelchairSkillsTeam at the Support Fair. She was helping on the roller track and Kees-Jan asked her if she would like to participate in the Skills Contest on the track. Kirsten accepted that challenge right away! During such a race you have to complete a course with the wheelchair as quickly as possible. Think of going up and down stairs, driving over a ramp or gravel pit and braving sidewalks. I liked it so much that I kept doing it and now I train myself.'

'I know how much freedom wheelchair skills give and I love helping people with that. Also, during the trainings we often see that most of the participants change in a positive way.' From the moment Kirsten herself was wheelchair-bound, she accepted the wheelchair as soon as possible: 'my wheelchair gives me the freedom to do things, so I don't have to sit inside,' Kirsten says. 'During the wheelchair skills training we work on skills, but the acceptance process that occurs is a nice side effect. During the training, people start to see themselves more positively and can participate more in everyday life. I find it very nice to be able to contribute to this and also want to show this to children and adults during the summer kick-off! 

The summer kick-off - on Wednesday, July 31 at the Bibian Mentel Playground - kicks off a sporty summer in which we get kids and young people moving and show how much fun sports are. 'Next summer I want to keep skiing to maintain my skills and in addition I'm going to the Mentelity Wakeboard Clinic in July,' says Kirsten. 'Two years ago I participated in that and I'm really looking forward to it again!'

Everyone - with or without a challenge -is welcome during the summer kick-off. Would you like to be there? Find more info via the button below!