1.1 Preliminary Remarks
The process of writing this master thesis has been a very special one: it started in 2010, when I was trying out different ways of how to write as independently as possible. In order to gather my thoughts, I started a kind of pin board online. The pin board gave me the possibility to read what my assistants have been writing down for me, but it had no structure yet.
I have chosen this method of writing, because I have a physical disability, which makes it a challenge for me to read and write by myself, that is why I have to use computer technology. More about this you can read in the chapter 1.3 Accessibility. What I have done in the last couple of months is the following:
- I have worked with Dieter Stokar and Sara Stocker on the structure of the website.
- I have worked on making summaries for my personal projects
- I have made factsheets for the public projects that I have done
- I have researched ways to create more independence for myself, I have done this through enhancing the text, making the cursor bigger and use yellow colour for the background, because it gives me a better contrast and it makes possible to see things easier.
- We have even created a solution with a second computer, so that I could see what my helpers are typing. This method is called “co-browsing”.
Writing seems to be a normal thing, something everybody can do, but for me it is special, and it costs a lot of effort, but when it is finished, my satisfaction is even greater.
Working with assistants
Because of my disability (I am using a wheelchair and am limited in my motoric skills for all the things I do in everyday life) I work with assistants 24 hours a day. These persons all have different backgrounds. Some of them come from other countries. All my assistants bring their own talents, some play music or sing, some are actors, others are good in cooking and some have a professional background in care. Creating this master thesis required a lot of planning, because of the helpers working with different schedules.
In general, I dictated the text to my helpers, but I don’t do the layout and also do not spell the words for them.
Because the HKB allowed me to hand in my master paper in the form of this website, the computer can read the text to me, and now because I can enlarge the text, I’m also able to read parts of it by myself, what I enjoy a lot. Because I have a Mac computer, the built-in application "voice over" is able to read aloud the text for me.
I’m happy that I got the support from the HKB especially e.g. Barbara Bader, Peter Aerni, and Albrecht Schneider, as well as from my mentor Sara Stocker (from the project “Klee ohne Barrieren” of the Creaviva/Zentrum Paul Klee in Berne). A special thank you goes to Dieter Stokar for all his help around the realisation of this webpage. And I’m happy that I can finish my paper in this way. I also want to thank all the assistants that helped me during my study in these 4 years, without them I could not have done it.
My role
I am responsible for all the text that is written on this website and its creative message. I have contacted all the organisations that I worked with and thought of the concept of the project proposals. I created most the artworks that are visible on this website and I’m the coordinator of the different projects as well. I’m thankful to everybody who has worked with me in the different projects, especially to my students. I am very grateful for all these valuable experiences.
The role of Dieter Stokar
Dieter has helped me with all aspects of creating my website, he also looked at the possibilities and limitations of my body and found solutions, e.g. a big mouse with a joystick. Dieter also gave instructions to my helpers on how to support me in the best way with the creation of my master paper. Furthermore, he gave professional advice whenever it was necessary.
The role of Sara Stocker
Sara allowed me to use the Creaviva space in the Zentrum Paul Klee as a research ground for the project «Self image: how far can one go» and made it possible to develop a work strategy that I could stand behind. The strategy was based on one to one contact which each student. Sara also allowed me to use her own staff to realize my project and gave me professional advice regarding working with people with MS. She is also my mentor and has helped me to develop structures for this master thesis. Furthermore, she served as the contact person between the HKB and me and helped me to find solutions when there were problems. Sara also brought me in contact with possible employers.
