A joint project by RollOn society and the Lyoness Child & Family Foundation

Project description
For several years the “RollOn” Society, which is currently based in Tirol and Salzburg, has been supporting Marianne Hengl (who is severely disabled) in her fight for equal rights for the disabled. Marianne wants all diabled people to have equal opportunities and for each of them to be treated like a normal person – based on respect! True to her spirit, Marianne published her second book “I love my life – disability as an opportuntiy” in October.

In line with it’s guiding principle “Preserving life through education”, the Lyoness Child & Family Foundation supported the promotion of this strong, convincing book, thereby contributing to fight prejudice against the disabled.

We would like to congratulate Marianne Hengl for her election as “Austrian of the Year” in the category “Humanitarian Commitment”, which was announced at the “Austria08” gala of the Austrian newspaper “Die Presse”.

Project title
PR support for Marianne Hengl’s book “I love my life – disability as an opportunity” (Tyrolia publishers)

Project location
Austria

Project period
October 2008 - November 2008

Project objective
Marianne Hengl’s book is to be promoted through a series of book presentations and PR activities. The main objective of the project was to raise the awareness of the general public for the problems and concerns of the disabled.

Group of beneficiaries
RollOn society
For twenty years, disabled activist Marianne Hengl, born in 1964, has been fighting for the disabled, mainly in the provinces of Tyrol and Salzburg. Her adopted motto is “let us live together, we do not want to be pitied”. Hengl is the founder of the RollOn society and works full-time at the Elisabethineum in Axams (support centre for mentally challenged and multiply disabled children) where she is in charge of public relations and fund-raising.

Project partner
RollOn society

Project schedule
08 October 2008: Press conference in Innsbruck
09 October 2008: Book presentation in Innsbruck with 400 guests, including mayor Hilde Zach, Toni Innauer, Didi Constantini and Bluatschink.
17 October 2008: Book presentation in Marianne Hengl’s native community of Saalfelden with approximately 300 guests.
20 October 2008: “Austria08“ gala of daily newspaper “Die Presse“ in Vienna, where Marianne Hengl was elected Austrian of the year in the category of “Humanitarian Commitment”.
25 October 2008: Book presentation at the “LaDonna” in Vienna in co-operation with LaDonna.
28 October 2008: VIP book presentation in Vienna in co-operation with LeMeridien Vienna with 100 distinguished guests and media representatives including actress Louise Martini, ORF host Christoph Feuerstein, Roland Adrowitzer and Paralympics gold medallist Wolfang Schattauer.
29 October 2008: Book presentation in St.Johann i. Pongau in co-operation with Thalia booksellers with approximately 50 guests.

Results
A series of book presentations and PR activities were organised throughout the coutnry to promote Marianne Hengl and her book “I love my life – disability as an opportunity”. As a result the book sold approximately 50000 copies, making it a bestseller in Austria in December 2008.

With the help of the “RollOn Society” and the Lyoness Child & Family Foundation Marianne’s tireless efforts are beginning to create and stregthen a better understanding and acceptance for disabled people.

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