• Christel Wallraff from Aachen accepts the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in the White Hall of the Town Hall.
• Among other things, the award-winner founded the self-help group "Verein TS kranker Menschen e. V." to raise awareness of the rare disease tuberous sclerosis (TS) and support those affected.
• Since 1998, she has organized a carnival party for people with disabilities who live in residential facilities.

Lord Mayor Sibylle Keupen presented Christel Anna Wallraff from Aachen with the Cross of Merit on Ribbon of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany on Thursday, August 21, in the White Hall of the Town Hall. Keupen emphasized the social commitment of the honoree: "It takes people like you who have the courage to look ahead in a crisis, who sense when others need help and who have their heart in the right place. You have turned a private crisis into a commitment to the community and are deservedly being honored for this today."

At the suggestion of the state's Minister President, Hendrik Wüst, the Federal President awarded the widow and mother of two, Christel Anna Wallraff, the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany for her exceptional, long-standing commitment to social causes.

Commitment to the seriously ill

Her daughter's serious illness with tuberous sclerosis (TS), which is associated with malformations and tumors of the brain, skin changes and mostly benign tumors in other organ systems, prompted Wallraff and her family to found the self-help group "Verein TS kranker Menschen e. V." in 1993. She and her husband wanted to use the self-help group to raise awareness of the still largely unknown disease and support sufferers and their families. As it is a rare disease, only a few support services are available to those affected. Wallraff has been working for the association almost every day since then. At the same time, she cared for her seriously ill daughter, who lived in her parents' household until the end before she passed away in 2021.

An inclusive carnival celebration

In her role as a member of the Executive Board, Christel Wallraff has created a network in Aachen and beyond and initiated projects to give people with a serious illness or disability the opportunity to actively participate in social life. One example of this is the organization of an integrative carnival session, which the Wallraff couple have been organizing since 1998 together with the former working group for disabled people in the city of Aachen (today: "Arbeitsgemeinschaft Leben ist Vielfalt"). The event is aimed specifically at people with disabilities who live in residential facilities. Under the motto: "Laugh, sing, dance together - celebrate carnival", participants can take a carefree break from their everyday lives and celebrate together. Among other things, she takes care of the production of the program booklet and the transfer of guests to the event location and back to the dormitories - in the past also with the support of her daughter. She also collects donations for the event.

Never forget anyone - even in times of pandemic

During the coronavirus pandemic, the carnival sessions had to be canceled. Instead, helpers from the association collected more than 200 colorful carnival medals and gave them to the homes for people with disabilities. After the death of her husband in 2022, the pensioner took over the sole organization of the event and the office of First Chairwoman.

She has also been a member of the "Life is Diversity" working group for many years and is actively involved with her "Verein TS kranker Menschen e.V." association. Christel Wallraff is also involved in the Aachen West Community (GdG) in St. Jakob. For example, she is involved in organizing the carnival afternoon for older people, which is organized by the parish committee of the Frohe Jakobiner. For several years, she also looked after a neighbor who has since passed away and helped him and other senior citizens with household chores.