Claire Danson and Natascha Badmann: “You don’t need legs to fly”

Claire Danson: The fact that we did sports where it doesn’t matter if you are in a wheelchair or not. I love it when that happens! Just because I had that accident it doesn’t mean that I can’t do the same things as other people – I might just need different equipment at some point.

Natascha Badmann: I was impressed that you never complained about your spinal cord injury. It showed me that there really are no limits – apart from the ones in your own mind. In my opinion, that fitted perfectly with the title ‘Limit/less’.

Claire Danson: Natascha had a serious accident several years ago as well. I was very happy that she told me so openly about how she dealt with the diagnosis that she would never be able to move her arms properly again. It really helped me that she shared what went through her mind along the path to recovery.

Claire Danson: I was impressed with the way that she remained positive despite everything that had happened. Besides, it is always good to speak with somebody who can understand a little of what you have been through yourself. And what you are still going through.

Natascha Badmann: What I especially like about you is that you approach your challenges with a good sense of humour. That’s such a nice change in a world where so many people see everything negatively and get so terribly worked up about the tiniest thing. For instance, what occurs to me now is when we were in the kayak. I said to you: “My backside is getting so wet. I‘m getting cold.” And with a smile, you answered: “Mine probably is, too – not that I can feel it!” It is incredibly refreshing that you can laugh about such situations.

Natascha Badmann: Once again, I saw the great importance of your own will. You should never give up. However difficult things may be at the time. You must always believe that you can master a challenge.

Claire Danson: It did me a huge amount of good simply to be treated like a normal person. When I’m out and about in everyday life, people often don’t talk to me directly. Instead, they ask the person with me how they can help me. Hey, everybody! Please just talk normally to me!

Natascha Badmann: I had always wanted to fly – but I’d never done it before. And so I was naturally a bit nervous.

Claire Danson: I had been paragliding once before my accident. But that was a really long time ago. Before we lifted off, I was about as nervous as before a race, because you never exactly know what will happen.

Natascha Badmann: Still, you were the more experienced of us both. My adrenaline level was higher than yours.

Claire Danson: At least I could tell you not to worry (laughs).

Natascha Badmann: Probably because our schedules are so structured. But I do ‘stalk’ you on Instagram, and so I always know what you are doing.

Claire Danson: Yes, it’s the same for me. Time passes so quickly. But of course, I follow you on social media as well. We should definitely talk to each other more often, though!

Claire Danson: That would be wonderful. We could go swimming together. But please, let’s go someplace warmer than Lake Geneva in March. Hawaii would be good.

Natascha Badmann: If we went there, we could even go swimming with dolphins.

Claire Danson: That would be fantastic! I’ve never swum with dolphins.

Natascha Badmann: No, because that’s not what this run is about. I’ve been part of the run right from the very beginning. But I’ve never bothered about my distance. It is just important to enjoy the day and to motivate as many people as possible to run as well.

Claire Danson: It’s just the same for me. The event naturally has a very special meaning for me. In the hospital after the accident, they said: “You’ll never walk again. There is no cure, and there is not even any hope of a cure.” That’s incredibly hard. But the Wings for Life World Run does just that: It gives you hope. And even though it might be too late for me, it might be a massive help to many other people! After all, you have to realise that spinal cord injury affects not just the person who has actually been injured, but all the people around them as well. That’s why it is so important to know that there are people out there who are not giving up on you, but who are actually searching for solutions.