Mascha Mosel made it to the Paralympics in a wheelchair rugby, Bremen’s disabled athlete in 2024. But she has a problem: without a car she does not come to training.
Mascha Moselle made it to the big stage in a wheelchair rugby. The 21-year-old in Bremen is one of two women in the German national team. She became fourth at the European Championship and last summer she fulfilled her dream of the Paralympics in Paris. Two weeks ago she was also awarded Bremen’s disabled athlete in 2024.
But now her sporty career is on the brink. Because she has a mobility problem: she lacks a car. The paths to training are a real load for Moselle and their wheelchair. Most of them are not barrier -free and the stops on buses and trains are far from the sports halls.
It is very frustrating. You feel dependent and powerless. And it is also uncomfortable to always have to ask other people.
(Para athlete Mascha Moselle at Buten and Binnen)
Ride falls away
Mosel studied in Hanover, so far had a ride through her teammate Marco Herbst. But he became a father last year and now has the family with him. “There is no longer any space for the whole equipment and the wheelchairs”says Mosel, “So he can no longer take me with him.”
Above all, Mosel wants to be one: independent. And the Bremen woman has been fighting with the bureaucracy hell since 2021. A car -handed car is needed. That costs 27,000 euros. She has the driver’s license, but the money is missing. Mosel had first applied for funding from the employment office – but it was rejected.
No luck with the offices
Fully in her element: Mascha Mosel has been running wheelchair rugby for five years.
“On the grounds that you do not know whether I can take part in working life later”explains Mosel. Your movements are disturbed, the reason for this is a lack of oxygen at birth. At the age of 16, she discovered her passion for wheelchair rugby. And so that she can continue to keep up with the best, Mosel made a new application to the Bremen Office for Social Services.
But the social welfare office questions Mosel’s suitability and, according to the request of Buten, refers to “The fact that the Moselle case is responsible for the social data protection. The social medical service assesses whether current reports are also necessary after receiving a driver’s license.”
Moselle has the Bureaucracy fight abandoned
Mascha Mosel was awarded the sports gala in the GOP variety at the beginning of March as Bremen’s athlete of the disabled in 2024.
Mosel is frustrated because everything had already been officially checked by the doctor and the TÜV. The social welfare office said that the medical service itself has to decide whether further, additional medical reports are required. “I would have to go to the neurologist again”says Mosel: “The waiting time is six to eight months. I lost patience.”
The clerk are also often tied to the clerks, the procedure is specified, complicated and complex and must be assessed individually in any case. Frustration arises on both sides, but for Moselle her sporty career hangs on the financial support.
Search of sponsors initially unsuccessful
Moselle trains at two clubs in Lower Saxony. And the country’s disabled sports association would also be happy to help, but explains: “As a national association, we have no financial means to finance vehicles or their conversion. The promotion of vehicles – especially from students – is unfortunately difficult.” The funds are also missing from the Federal Association.
Mosel’s last chance is now to find a sponsor. “I asked all the car brands that I know. But in answer came that the number of inquiries is too high and that they cannot do it.” However, at the Bremen sports gala in early March, when she was awarded the disabled athlete of the year, a spontaneous call for donations already came together for Moselle. A start and a little hope, but your training and your future in the national team will continue to end.
