Author
Katrin Kokocinski, as appeared in Alpha1 Journal 1/2025.
AATM diagnosis in 2024. For the first time at a members' meeting! The spa town of Bad Wildungen presents itself invitingly in the spring sunshine; the Hotel Maritim, situated in the spa gardens, still exudes the scent of bygone golden ages of glorious spa seasons. Blossoming trees and daffodils, a babbling brook.
At the start at 5 p.m., the foyer is quite full, with a palpable sense of joy at seeing each other again. As a newcomer, you might find yourself standing around for a bit, but it's not unpleasant; there's always a cup of coffee to hold onto. The main hall is already prepared, with the seats for the board members, the lectern, the sound system, and the technical equipment set up on the stage.
The attendance list shows 174 participants; the atmosphere is friendly and attentive. Initial contact is made with those sitting next to each other.
The formalities of the members' meeting get underway, warmly introduced by the chairwoman, Marion Wilkens. Gabi Niethammer then skillfully takes over the moderation; after all, German association law must be observed alongside the important business. Participating in the proceedings is effortless; everyone knows it's necessary. The meeting moves smoothly through the agenda.
The annual report was available in advance, but it's still great to see it presented live and in such an engaging way. As a newcomer, you can really feel the dedication. Such a wide range of activities, including those at the international level! It's somehow impressive that the association already has over 1,000 members. There's so much they want to do, so much they want to achieve for everyone currently affected and for those in the future! They also spoke openly about the finances, including how they covered the hotel costs for this weekend. As someone hearing much of this for the first time, I'm very impressed. I'm grateful to the volunteers who are willing to take on the board positions again for another term and were elected. In the extensive network of associations I'm usually involved in, this is truly remarkable. Respect! The division of tasks, the auditing – everything was handled properly. It wasn't boring at all!
Dinner is calling.
The crowd trots through long hotel corridors in loose groups towards the dining room. I find it amusing that this herd instinct is framed by animal photos on the walls: lots of sheep. The very diverse and plentiful dinner offers new opportunities to connect, facilitated by a glass of wine. But the conversation topics aren't limited to the usual suspects; they also arise pleasantly from small talk and the garden's sensory experiences.
Day 2, Information Day
An early morning stroll in the spa gardens is a good idea. I'm scheduled for a liver examination, and having my blood drawn in the beautifully renovated Art Nouveau architecture is quite pleasant, I discover. Perhaps the spa aristocracy felt this way.
A full day follows
On a variety of topics, there's a fearless encounter between science and the general public; even complex diagrams and charts are presented to the audience, which I find very appealing. Questions are asked openly and answered most kindly, sometimes with the suggestion of later one-on-one discussions. The atmosphere is encouraging, and the accompanying organization is clever and respectful. Hats off! I'm sure there will be further reports on individual topics on the website and in the association's magazine. Children are present, and childcare is provided and clearly well-used. Information booths offer a wealth of materials, making your rolling suitcase quite heavy. And I've had excellent results asking questions about the topic to those enjoying coffee nearby. The sense of community is palpable.
Farewell on the little train
And this too: Via Wega and Ungedanken, Zennern and Mandern (!) you get back to the main route. Fantastic. I drive home grateful, with the assurance that this association is a virtual place where knowledge and experience are freely shared, where I don't have to be afraid of asking silly questions. I can read about, ask about, and express my concerns here. This is what support looks like, this is what self-help looks like when it works. I'm looking forward to the next regional meeting.
Impressions
