rapid, bitzinger
Patrick Bitzinger is doing an internship as a masseur at Rapid. He has been blind since he was seven. “Today” asked.
14 games in 57 days – Rapid started the season with a mammoth program. On Thursday, the next tough piece is waiting in the Europa League with Genk.
Patrick Bitzinger ensures that players are in top shape again. The Waldviertler is completing an internship as a masseur with the Hütteldorfer. The specialty: he is blind.
“From a medical point of view, I see one percent in the right eye, that is, outlines at a distance of one to two meters,” the 26-year-old tells ” Today” . No problem when kneading the players. “I feel the muscle, recognize the course, feel the structure of the bones, virtually see with my hands.” However, he does not want to confirm that his sense of touch is particularly well developed. “I miss the comparison. It is certainly not the case that every blind person automatically massages well. Perhaps there are more natural talents.”
Bitzinger lost his eyesight when he was seven years old. “I was born with a head of water. A line was placed in my stomach so that the cerebrospinal fluid can drain. It was then blocked. The pressure squeezed the optic nerve,” he says without sadness. “I still remember what a cow looks like, I can imagine things. But I have no memory of seeing itself.”
The Jimmy Hoffer fan came to massage via detours. “A friend made me think about it. I actually wanted to study sports science, but that didn't work.” Bitzinger is currently completing his training as a therapeutic masseur, he is already a medical masseur. At Rapid he is living his dream – twice a week with the professionals, once with the second team. “I am extremely happy to be on this team.”
