The Jahnkow family in Rheinsberg: Fighting for a barrier-free home for Andy!

The Jahnkow family in Rheinsberg: Fighting for a barrier-free home for Andy!

The Jahnkow family from Rheinsberg is facing a major challenge. Irena and Benno Jahnkow have been caring for their severely disabled son Andy, who needs comprehensive support, for 40 years. They have been through a lot during these years and are now reaching their limits, both physically and emotionally. Next year, at the end of 2025, Andy will move to Flecken Zechlin to live with his sister Sandra Schäffer, where he will find a new home.

Around 9,000 euros are required to make Andy's move and the necessary renovations handicapped accessible. So far, 4,195 euros have already been collected from a crowdfunding campaign Moz.de reported. The nursing care insurance only covers part of the costs, and Sandra's husband plans to use his own services to help with the renovation in order to reduce the financial burden.

A rocky road to the new home

The path was not always easy; Andy, who suffered from oxygen deprivation at birth, has both mental and physical limitations. Another serious fall at school resulted in an undetected hematoma, which eventually led to blindness and the use of a wheelchair. In the new home, a room will be created for Andy on the ground floor and the doors will be widened so that he can easily move around the house in his wheelchair.

In order to draw attention to the urgency of the fundraising campaign, Sandra Schäffer has launched a call for donations on www.gofundme.de. The family hopes to raise the necessary funds with the support of the community. Crowdfunding offers a helpful option in such situations: An example of the success of a similar campaign is the story of Manuela and her son Nico, who raised 60,000 euros within a few days through a collection. Her experience shows how important community can be in difficult times, especially in overcoming barriers.

Community spirit and accessibility

Manuela, who also fought for an external lift with her crowdfunding campaign, talks about the strong support in her neighborhood. Despite initial concerns about how such actions would be received, she received a lot of support. Their campaign not only highlighted financial issues, but also opened the conversation about barriers in everyday life and the challenges people with disabilities face, beyond structural measures.

The example of Manuela and Andy shows how important it is to openly discuss needs and seek support. Crowdfunding not only encourages financial help, but also strengthens connections within the community. For the Jahnkows and other families in similar situations, this path could be the key to a barrier-free life.