In July 2024, I completed ten years of inclusive schooling. My career aspirations have been very specific and consistent for a long time: I want to work in a kindergarten or school as an ‹assistant with an educational profile›. Since last year, I have been attending the Freie Fachschule für Sozialpädagogik (Free College for Social Pedagogy) in Mannheim. I went to an education fair and asked if this was possible. It wasn't easy! But with a lot of support, it worked out.
Now I'm just like everyone else, taking exams and even getting grades. Grades are very important to me. I have to study a lot, but it's fun. My class is cool. We're a good team. Some students from the university work with me one day a week. They help me when I don't understand something.
I am also being researched as part of my training. Researchers from Alanus University are observing my progress. They ask me how I learn and what helps me. They write about it and share it with others. I think that's good. Because I want to show that people with disabilities can also learn, work, and make a difference. I want others to see and understand that.
Marie often visited me in class. She observed how we all learn and work together. She also visited my internship at the kindergarten and spoke with me and my teacher. Marie wrote a lot of things down and talked to Ms. Barth.
Research helps with this. It makes visible what often remains invisible. It shows how important it is for every person to be able to go their own way. I am proud of that. I am part of something bigger. I am not only learning for myself – I am also learning for others. I hope that even more people with disabilities will be able to pursue an education. That we are seen.
Ms. Barth and I often go to conferences to talk about my educational path. We want to show that it is possible.
At the end of the school year, we presented Marie's bachelor’s thesis at the university together. I thought it was great that I was there. Everyone congratulated us. Afterwards, we celebrated.
Photos: Private