Germany´s mentally handicapped People - pp 20.06.2008

Life has never been easy for Germany´s mentally handicapped. An estimated 200 000 of them fell victim to Nazi Germany´s horrific euthanasia programme ... and even in the 1950s, families tended to hide away their mentally-handicapped children. Finding a meaningful place within society was almost impossible. But the last half-century has brought huge improvements. Successive governments have backed efforts to integrate the mentally handicapped. And private initiatives, such as the Lebenshilfe association -- which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year -- have helped people like Elisabeth Ludwig live an active and fulfilled life.