Great help when urgently needed
The dedicated work and achievements of Cicely Saunders, a pioneer and shining role model in palliative care, have been highlighted by the traveling exhibition “you matter because you are”.
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“Hard Fate” – Order the book now
Life with these limitations is a hard fate. For everyone! For those directly affected, for family caregivers, and for nursing professionals. "Hard Fate" tells of encounters at the Rückenwind plus ward.
Portraits from a special house
The illustrated book "Schwere Los" shows why places like Rückenwind plus are needed. It was created out of concern for the survival of the unit.
“Heavy Lot” – The Making Of
Before a book can be browsed and read, a great deal of mechanical and manual work is performed alongside artistic and editorial efforts. A look behind the scenes at the Bürli AG printing company.
The Book with the Open Back
In the book "Schwere Los", nothing is accidental. It is full of meanings and touching messages. Last Sunday evening, its vernissage was celebrated in the presence of numerous guests in the Reformed Church in Bad Zurzach.
Never struggled with fate
Peter Lude is a tetraplegic. His book "Schwere Los" is now being published. It offers insight into the lives of people with severe disabilities at the "Rückenwind plus" ward in Bad Zurzach.
When Highly Specialized Care Is Critical
A fire made the apartment uninhabitable; Rückenwind plus took in Stefanie Fischer and her husband at short notice, where others reached their limits.
Member of the Council of States fights against healthcare gap
People with paraplegia fall through the cracks: Marianne Binder would like to ensure the financing of services such as Rückenwind plus in Zurzach.
Care gap: When patients are forgotten
People with spinal cord injuries or neurological diseases require highly specialized care. In Switzerland, however, there is a lack of established structures for this. The reasons are complex, as the example of the Rückenwind plu
Towards Christmas in five-part harmony
Advent concert in the Reformed Church. The a cappella ensemble Voice5 performed in support of Rückenwind plus.
Commitment to Commitment
The Aargau sections of the Charitable Women's Association collected for Rückenwind plus .
And lucky nonetheless
ENCOUNTERED – It was recently reported in the news on TeleZüri: Stefanie Fischer is temporarily at home with Rückenwind plus.
Zurzach highlights
Donations were collected for Rückenwind plus in the Aargau sections of the Swiss Association for the Common Good. The cheque handover will take place on October 28.
And suddenly it was about Rückenwind
The "National Strategy for Spinal Cord Injury 2025 – 2033" has been completed and has now been presented to the public.
A support without which we wouldn’t have made it
He relies on his wife's care – then she suffers a stroke
Great honor for the patron of Rückenwind plus
Prof. Dr. med. Hans Knecht, patron of Rückenwind plus, has been appointed Professor Emeritus of McGill University in Montreal, Canada.
Life without fear – thanks to Rückenwind
A sudden emergency: When Ueli Zimmermann’s wife is admitted to hospital, he immediately needs a care place. The tetraplegic finds help only at Rückenwind.
Can stay until a solution is found.
Until now, ALS patient Michael Heinz has been living at home. That is no longer possible. Until a solution is found, he will be admitted to the Rückenwind ward.
Help was only available from Rückenwind
Tetraplegic Ueli Zimmermann says: Without Rückenwind, my wife and I would be on our own.
Only a pioneering spirit drives progress
Tina Kunz-Saxer, Silvia Loretan-Kunz, and Dr. med. Walter Jenni remember Dr. med. Walter Kunz. His life's work is the Rehaklinik Bad Zurzach.
Swiss Paraplegic Foundation
Uncovered care costs in the form of direct assistance to patients will continue to be covered for the time being.
Termination Contested
The unexpected termination of the lease has been contested by Rückenwind plus AG.
ALS Changes Everything
Karl and Gerda Siegrist recount how Karl's ALS diagnosis has transformed their shared life. Rückenwind makes the challenging daily routine a little more manageable.
Family caregivers need time off
Eliane de Maddalena has been paraplegic since a diving accident. Her husband supports her. Eliane’s stay at Rückenwind gives him a much-needed break.
No pity, please
Philipp Kutter is a city mayor and National Councillor. He had an accident in 2023 and has since lived as a tetraplegic. “Pity doesn't help,” he says. Only concrete support moves things forward.
Humor has power
Christoph Bühler, a father, actually has nothing to laugh about: an accident left him a tetraplegic. He says: "My family, my humor, and Rückenwind help me."
What used to be taken for granted is demanding today
It takes strength to cope with the challenges of everyday life. Christian and Veronika Lang experience this every day. Rückenwind gives them moments to catch their breath.
What would happen to me if Judith were unavailable?
Family caregivers are on duty every day, around the clock. For quadriplegic Ueli Zimmermann, there's no question: those who provide care at home need breaks to keep going.
Rückenwind closes a gap in care
Prof. Dr. med. Hans Knecht says: "Rückenwind must not die! Only institutions like Rückenwind guarantee lifelong care for people with spinal cord injuries."
Rückenwind saved me
Paralyzed since childhood and now diagnosed with cancer. Heidy Anneler finds support on the Rückenwind ward on her way back to life.
Lease terminated
On August 21, 2024, our Executive Management and the Board of Directors were informed by the Emil Burkhardt Foundation that the existing lease for the premises of our ward will not be renewed.
“Tailwind” must not die
Interview with Prof. Dr. med. Hans Knecht. Knecht expresses himself with great clarity.
I enjoy being there for others.
Daria Poliienko is part of the Rückenwind plus team. She is completing her apprenticeship as a Healthcare Specialist
Ueli Zimmermann
"I always worried about what would happen to me if my wife were unable to care for me. Who would look after me then?" Ueli Zimmermann has been a tetraplegic since a mountain accident in 1965.
Prof. Dr. med. Thierry Carrel, Switzerland’s most famous heart surgeon
"Until a political solution is found, uncovered care costs will be financed through donations." The applications mentioned in the video were purely advisory in nature. It was the only way to make the applications public and thus i
Prof. Dr. med. Hans Knecht, Founding Director of Swiss Paraplegic Research
"We must support people who have suffered severe blows of fate!" The elected patron and founding director of Swiss Paraplegic Research, Hans Knecht, talks here about his wish, his vision and his conviction.
Guido A. Zäch: Everything positive meets headwinds
Minutes of the General Assembly of the Patrons’ Association of the Swiss Paraplegic Foundation. Agenda item 7a concerns Rückenwind plus.
Achievements to date
The Board of Directors of Rückenwind plus AG provides an update on the current situation.
Thomas Gröbly
He originally trained as a farmer, then studied theology and worked as a lecturer in ethics. Eight years ago, Thomas Gröbly was diagnosed with ALS. In the video, you will learn more about his daily life, his books, and his though
Bad news and good news
The Board of Directors announces: Hospital list mandate revoked, financing temporarily secured.
Court ends dispute over patients
What the Federal Administrative Court decision means for Rückenwind plus.
Zurich prevails against Aargau in patient dispute
Federal Administrative Court rules: Rückenwind plus may not bill via the hospital list.
Funding secured for 2024
The uncovered care costs will be temporarily covered by the Swiss Paraplegic Foundation.
Hospital List Assignment Revoked
The Department of Health and Social Affairs provides information on the decision of the Federal Administrative Court.
Hospital ward hopes for support
Benefit event with author Thomas Gröbly, organist Yvonne Lude and percussionist Tony Renold.
Laurence Droz
"I really want to say, we are free here. I am free to design my meals and that is fantastic, because it is an important part of recovery. The people here treat us like human beings, like family
Paul Mühlberg
"Rückenwind plus has given me security, an inner peace. You can compare it to a house standing on 4 stilts, with one missing. It's as if someone put the fourth one back in place. Even when it's windy, the house no longer wobbles.
Aurelia & Fritz Eichholzer
"Right at the beginning, everyone said: 'You need to get some relief,' but no one could say where. I am very grateful that Rückenwind exists. What is very important for things to work well at home is the possibility that I can
Found the Right Support at Rückenwind plus
A patient from Stuttgart has received the support at Rückenwind plus that she had been searching for.
Joel Schmid
"In my first month here, I found my peace. I met a few people, and I simply feel extremely comfortable here."
Keep going, persevere!
Literature prize winner Melinda Nadj Abonji supports Rückenwind plus
She is terminally ill and has finally arrived
ALS patient Sigrid Bütler has found her home at the Rückenwind ward.
Rückenwind in the event of a need for care
Marc Ruder, who is affected by spina bifida, spent several months in the Rückenwind ward.
Rickli may sue Gallati
The Canton of Zurich fears that Aargau could lure patients away from it.
The Well-Being of Para/Tetraplegics
Letter to the editor by Prof. Dr. med. Hans Knecht. Response to the NZZ article of September 23, 2022.
Uncertain future
The legal dispute surrounding Rückenwind is being recognized at a national level.
Zurich Takes Case to Federal Administrative Court
Rückenwind on Hospital List? The Zurich Health Director does not approve.
Appeal to the Federal Administrative Court
Zurich Health Director Natalie Rickli is filing an objection to the inclusion of "Rückenwind plus" on the hospital list.
Three SVP government councilors dispute over patients
Zurich and its neighboring cantons block each other. It's about power and money.
Exactly what I need
ALS patient Armando Schätti is staying at the Rückenwind facility. “Rückenwind is convincing,” he says.
Heinz Frei
"I am wholeheartedly committed to this institution." Find out more about Heinz Frei’s commitment in his profile.
Kilian Ziegler
"This is where care gets to the point" Kilian Ziegler, slam poet and cabaret artist, is looking for nursing staff for Rückenwind plus. The wordsmith from Olten explains the range of services and the precise care in his own words.
Kilian Ziegler
"Rückenwind turns the blues into a plus." Kilian Ziegler, the slam poet from Olten, explains here in his own words the precise care with medical services provided by Rückenwind plus.
A morning at Rückenwind
We face the day with humor. A visit with patients and staff on the ward.
Precise Care
The Swiss Rückenwind plus AG begins operations. Interview with Sabine Felber and Peter Lude.
The idea has taken shape
Rückenwind PLUS AG intends to close a gap in care provision in the Swiss healthcare system.
Preventing suffering, reducing costs
Peter Lude and Sabine Felber present their project "Rückenwind plus." It is a care facility providing medical services.