Mascha Mosel, a 21-year-old wheelchair rugby player from Bremen, has qualified for the Paralympics and was named the region’s disabled athlete of the year. Despite her achievements, she faces significant mobility challenges due to a lack of transportation for training. With a personal vehicle costing around 27,000 euros needed for independence, her initial funding application was denied. Ongoing bureaucratic hurdles and delays have compounded her frustrations, though a recent fundraising effort has provided some hope for her future in the sport.
Mascha Mosel: Rising Star in Wheelchair Rugby
Mascha Mosel has achieved a remarkable milestone by qualifying for the Paralympics in wheelchair rugby, earning the title of Bremen’s disabled athlete of the year for 2024. This 21-year-old talent from Bremen stands out as one of the only two women representing the German national team. After an impressive fourth-place finish at the European Championships, her dream of competing in the Paris Paralympics has become a reality. Recently, she received recognition for her outstanding achievements at the local sports gala, where she was honored as the best disabled athlete.
Facing Mobility Challenges
Despite her remarkable achievements, Mascha Mosel’s athletic career is now at a crossroads due to a significant mobility issue—she is without a car. The logistical challenges of commuting to training sessions have become increasingly burdensome, especially given that many transportation options are not designed to accommodate her wheelchair. Public transport stops are often far from the training facilities, making it difficult for her to attend practice regularly.
Currently studying in Hanover, Mosel previously relied on teammate Marco Herbst for rides. However, with Herbst’s new family responsibilities, he can no longer provide the necessary transportation for her and her equipment. “There’s simply no room anymore for the wheelchairs and gear,” says Mosel, highlighting the struggle she faces.
Mascha’s passion for wheelchair rugby goes beyond just the sport itself; she appreciates the unique mixed-gender format that it offers, which is not found in other Paralympic sports. Above all, she seeks independence, which has led her to navigate a challenging bureaucratic landscape since 2021. In her quest for autonomy, she requires a personal, accessible vehicle costing approximately 27,000 euros. While she holds a driver’s license, funding has been a major obstacle. Her initial application for financial assistance through the employment agency was unfortunately denied.
As Mosel explains, the rationale provided was that there is uncertainty regarding her future employment prospects. This is particularly frustrating given the complications stemming from her birth-related oxygen deprivation, which affects her mobility. At 16, she discovered wheelchair rugby, and now, to continue competing at the highest level, she has submitted a renewed funding request to Bremen’s Social Services Office.
However, the social office has raised doubts about her driving capabilities, citing social data protection regulations. Upon further inquiry, the office indicated that a medical evaluation would determine if additional reports were necessary, which has caused further delays in her efforts to secure funding. “I’ve been told I need to see a neurologist again, but the waiting times are excruciating—six to eight months,” she laments, expressing her growing impatience with the process.
The bureaucratic hurdles have left Mosel feeling frustrated. Even her caseworkers are limited by a complex and predetermined procedure that requires individual assessments. This ongoing struggle has made it clear to her that financial support is crucial for her continued participation in the sport she loves.
Despite training across two clubs in Lower Saxony, the local disabled sports association has expressed its inability to provide financial assistance for vehicles or necessary modifications. They acknowledged that securing funding for students in need is particularly challenging, and the federal association also lacks the resources to help.
With time running out, Mosel’s last hope lies in finding a sponsor. “I’ve reached out to several car manufacturers, but the response has been discouraging—they’re overwhelmed with requests,” she explains. However, a glimmer of hope emerged during the Bremen sports gala, where a spontaneous fundraising initiative raised 14,000 euros for her cause. While this is a positive start, the uncertainty surrounding her training and future with the national team remains a pressing concern.