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Rescue for pensioner: Who will give Brigitte Matz a working bicycle?
Brigitte Matz, 69, is urgently looking for a cheap bike in Prenzlau to ensure her mobility. The community is asked for help.
Rescue for pensioner: Who will give Brigitte Matz a working bicycle?
69-year-old Brigitte Matz, a pensioner who lives on her small pension and housing benefit, lives in tranquil Prenzlau. Your cyclist's heart beats for a functioning 26-inch women's bike, but the current vehicle is in a deplorable condition. For them, cycling is not just a means of transport, but a real expression of independence and joy of life.
She regularly takes part in her weekly painting group and relies on her bike for this. Matz recently attended the “Green Mile” event in the Prenzlauer Seepark in the hope of being able to buy a suitable, inexpensive bicycle at the auction sale of unclaimed items. Unfortunately, all the bikes were auctioned outside of her budget and she was left without the catch she had hoped for. The situation is particularly difficult for Matz, especially since she also has to deal with other urgently needed household repairs, such as a broken refrigerator. Nevertheless, the bike is her top priority.
Community support needed
The local newspaper has now backed Matz and is calling on the community to help her. Many people are familiar with the challenges that older people like them face. According to a report by Health Promotion Switzerland, social participation and active mobility are essential to avoid loneliness and health problems in old age. Especially as you get older, your social network decreases, which can lead to isolation. Matz symbolizes the many pensioners who often silently ask for help.
Developing partnerships and support systems for seniors could make a decisive contribution to improving their living situation. Socially isolated older people are often exposed to risks such as high blood pressure, depression and increased stress levels. Brigitte Matz's search for an affordable bike is a very concrete step towards tackling these challenges.
Matz's example shows how important social participation is for the well-being of older people. Hertens that we find in our neighbors can make all the difference. Maybe one or two readers have a used bike in their basement that could give Matz new joy in life. Cycling, as a source of mobility and independence, could herald a new phase in life for them.
If you would like to support Brigitte Matz, you can contact the editorial team of the local newspaper or contact her directly. Let's be inspired to make a difference together!
Information about the challenges faced by older people and their social participation can be found in the reports from the Aging Network and Health Promotion Switzerland netwerk-altern.at and gesundheitsfoerderung.ch.