18. Juli 2005  
Hamburg, Cottbus / Germany  
Artistic Gymnastics

Ronny Ziesmer: Alliance of Hope - ... more than a foundation!

Ex-gymnast in the science section of SPIEGEL

In its latest edition (18-07-2005) the German magazine DER SPIEGEL does not only dedicate an article to Ronny Ziesmer as sportsman.
Almost exactly on the very same day one year after the horrible accident (12-07-2004) the former virtuoso of motion appears in the science section:
He substantially expanded his primary idea of founding a 'Ronny Ziesmer Gymnastics Foundation': Ronny is aiming for getting actively involved by founding a holding company in order to support scientific studies in the area of regeneration of nerve fibres.
'That is important for e v e r y paraplegic person, throughout the world, not only for sportsmen', so said the ex-gymnast, who shortly enrolled as student in biotechnology due to this context...

On Ronny's day of fate (12th July) : Dr. Andreas Niedeggen (Emergency Hospital Berlin)
talking with Ronny Ziesmer and editor of Spiegel Gerald Traufetter (on the right)

Dr. Niedeggen explains the specifics of the injury by using a spine model

'Bridge over abyss of nerves'
 This title was chosen by an editor of Spiegel Gerald Traufetter in the 29th edition dated 18-07-2005. This article may be found in the science section, for its topics are therapies of future treatment of paraplegia which is considered as being incurable at the moment. Only one year after the former virtuoso of motion suddenly retrieves himself in a completely different world of totally new horizons – as if he had been struck by lightning, this remarkable young man does not appear in the sports resort but in the science resort of this leading German magazine.
The reason being: Days, if not only hours, after his fall in the preparation camp for the Olympics, Ronny was amazed by the care, the professionality and the hardship of the jobs of those who treated, operated on and cared for him. ...
One of his first reactions had been already then, '...how can I ever give back anything of what was given to me as support...?!'
One of his first actions – being completely helpless himself then – had been the idea of a 'Ronny Ziesmer-Gymnastics Foundation': ''I wanted to set up a world-wide operating foundation that ties a net of security for athletes, who suffer an injury, fail or get into trouble by practising their kind of sport - like I did. Then, however, we had several encounters of a special kind during the International German Gymnastics Festival in Berlin...!'

Intensive conversation in the chancellor's office:
Federal Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder: 'Ronny, in case you will need support for your interesting project, I will gladly be at your disposal...!'

'Maybe, this has been my second day of fate in my second life!'
Almost a little overwhelmed Ronny had been on this 19th May, when he had the chance to intensively talk with the Federal Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder at the Gymnastics Festival Reception in the chancellor’s office.
This encounter had been realised by a contact organised by GYMmedia with one of the company founders of the 'Neuraxo Biotech' GmbH Dusseldorf on the very morning of this day.
Mr Dr Troescher explained to Ronny possibilities of a future co-operation between the handicapped athlete and the endeavours of German research and science to achieve long- and medium-term results of a possible treatment of paraplegic people.
Facing some questionable activities at same places in the world, where even have been offered and done operations without the basis of assured scientific findings ( - paid for with cash) and have been produced vague hopes, this has to be prevented by profound and reliable findings of clinic research!
So Federal Chancellor Schroeder said to Ronny Ziesmer:
'When German science and research will lead the way, then this deserves great support. Ronny, in case you will need support for your interesting project, I will gladly be at your disposal...!'

In a personal letter sent to the chancellor (- which has not been answered yet) Ronny expressed his gratitude to the chancellor in the meantime for this opportunity to talk, as well as he thanked the Minister of the Interior Otto Schily, and explained his idea of creating a holding company.
As a consequence, Ronny decided to gain competence in this area. Instead of enrolling for electro-technology he will study biotechnology at the university of applied sciences in Lausitz.
'This certainly will form comprehension of this interesting field of science. This I can deepen at the same time or, perhaps, later by taking further courses.'
An Alliance of Hope
Instead of his primary idea of setting up a foundation, Ronny Ziesmer – who himself still depends on support by his environment and for whom the foundation German Sports Aid opened a support account – favoured the founding of a so-called 'holding company'. CORDASAN-campany is the chosen name. This company is supposed to support scientific research like the ones performed by Dusseldorf’s 'NEURAXO Biotec' GmbH.

Ronny Ziesmer: Publicity in service of a good, exciting matter!

15 million Euro is the declared aim of Ronny to be collected through his personal public commitment.... a huge aim of the former world class athlete, however, still appropriate measured to his hitherto sportive goals in his high-tech sport as well as the gigantic dimension of the scientific and medical tasks of research in this area.
'When I simply were able to contribute my share in order to built up an 'Alliance of Hope' – however on a scientific basis – and to convince directly and indirectly afflicted people, entrepreneurs, banks, insurance companies, venture capitalists and many, many others that it is worthy to invest money, then this will be not only best fortune for myself but for every afflicted all over the world!
However, I do know, that it will take some time to lead to actual progress – but still, I will be able to say that
I do not wait passively but am actively involved!'
E. Herholz; (c) gymmedia
Translated by: Florian Schmid-Sorg
>> ... please find further information in today’s issue of the German magazine
DER SPIEGEL, edition 29/18-07-2005

Summary in English:
'Bridge Over the Nerve Fissure'
Medicine: Paraplegia was once regarded as an incurable fate. Now researchers all over the world are developing new strategies for making the nerve cells of the spinal cord grow together again. The first German study commences in these coming months, with the aid of the paralysed gymnastics star Ronny Ziesmer. Some scientists are resorting to antibodies, the others to mysterious repair cells from the nose. Others, again, favour embryonic cell material and aim to use this to bridge the gap between the two severed ends of the spinal cord.

>> Shortly there will be a new website by Ronny Ziesmer. There, you will be invited to read more about all his activities! !