Kerstin Schulz: The first golf trainer for people with disabilities!

Kerstin Schulz: The first golf trainer for people with disabilities!

There are stories that move and inspire. This also applies to Kerstin Schulz, the first trainer for golf with disabilities in Germany. This 54-year-old pioneer from Freising was not only honored for her sporting successes, but also found a remarkable way back to life. After numerous health challenges, including a transfemoral amputation due to a stubborn infection and more than 150 surgeries, she shows how perseverance and passion can lead to success. As the Mercury reports, she was recently honored at the sports honors in Freising, where she introduced her humor to the event when she noted that she had to be careful not to fly further than the ball.

Kerstin's path was anything but easy. In 1993, she began her battle with health problems that ultimately led to her amputation. Loss of the femoral nerve in 1996 resulted in further stiffening of the knee, severely limiting her life. After a long series of medical challenges, including a hip disarticulation in 2013, she finally managed to walk again with a proper prosthesis. This is what the website reports Changing perspective with prostheses.

A new phase of life

For Schulz, the step into golf was a decisive turning point in her life story. On the advice of a work colleague, she ventured into this sport and discovered not only a new hobby, but also therapy and passion. With the help of her trainer Elizabeth Höh, she quickly gained her handicap license and became an inclusion trainer in November 2023. She has made it her mission to introduce children and people with disabilities to the sport of golf. That has already paid off: at the international German championship she took third place among women and sixth place at the European Team Championships for golfers with disabilities.

Schulz is not only active as an athlete, but also as an integration officer at her golf club. She gives lectures on inclusion and is involved as chairwoman of the golf support association in Aschheim. Their medals and certificates, including a state cup for able-bodied people, demonstrate their tireless commitment and success in sport.

Inclusion in sport

The path to inclusion – especially in sport – is often complicated. Although there have been attempts to integrate people with disabilities in Germany since the 1970s, the road to full participation is still a long one. This is how it shows Federal Agency for Civic Education that organized sports for the disabled has a long history, but is continually confronted with challenges. Barriers often remain that make it difficult for people with disabilities to access sports clubs.

But as Kerstin Schulz proves, promoting inclusion can have a big impact even with little effort. With her commitment and positive attitude, she impressively shows how prejudices can be broken down and tolerance and acceptance can be promoted. For those who are afraid of revealing their disability, she advises them not to be ashamed and to seek the help of professionals. The motto can also be applied here: “Together we are strong!”