Michael* likes to retreat under a cosy blanket. He really likes breaks. And he needs lots of them. The 28-year-old man prefers to lie on a thick blue mattress with a red plush heart next to him. His face is usually covered. Only his toes peek out and bounce. He realises exactly who else is in the room or what music is playing on the radio. That's good for him. Taking part in the work and support programme at the "Smyrna" workshop for people with complex disabilities is important for Michael's daily structure.
Smyrna currently supports 28 people with disabilities. All of them have severe cognitive impairments. Some also have an autism spectrum disorder with behaviour that endangers themselves or others. Retreats are essential for them. "We always have to respond to people individually here. Every day is different and being sensitive at work is extremely important," says facility manager Yannik Ströer. Together with his colleague, curative education nurse Joscha Kiolbassa, he is now looking after three men in one room.
After the break, Michael starts training his fine motor skills and perception. He tries to sort nuts. Then he twists them onto wooden sticks of different thicknesses. He finds it difficult to concentrate. He rocks back and forth. His head and eyes are also full of restlessness. He squints his eyes and stretches his neck every few seconds. If he is in a good mood, he asks with a smile: "Pinch?" And if the other person nods, he gently pinches their arm. That's his way of making contact. But Michael can also speak. He is one of the few in the workshop in the centre of Bethel.
Another young man does the rounds of the room. Then he stops. He laughs loudly and jumps up and down. Yannik Ströer tries to calm him down, because the old building is very noisy and the atmosphere can quickly change. There are too few rooms where people can simply relax on their own. And the sanitary facilities no longer adequately meet the increasing care needs of people with complex disabilities. The workshop is therefore being completely renovated and remodelled. The outdoor area is also being redesigned so that people like Michael can enjoy their breaks in the greenery.
Text: Heike Lepkojis | Picture: Matthias Cremer
*Last name not given on request
