Kees-Jan van der Klooster’s motto is “live fast”. And he does, in spite of a snowboarding accident that left him paralysed in 2001. Seven years later, he won a gold medal at the 2008 Winter X ... more 

Kees-Jan van der Klooster’s motto is “live fast”. And he does, in spite of a snowboarding accident that left him paralysed in 2001. Seven years later, he won a gold medal at the 2008 Winter X Games. KJ gives children and adults in wheelchairs training to help them face a world seldom suited to their needs. To get an idea of the world he lives in, we went out for lunch with KJ in Amsterdam, a city of bridges and cosy little restaurants. KJ spots one he likes: “So what often happens to me is I see a nice little restaurant and I want to go in there. I am confronted with a few steps, these are not too big actually, but let’s see what they have for lunch today and if I can get in,” says KJ. There are two flights of stairs between KJ and the toilet. The waitress sends him to the restaurant next door. More steps, another door. KJ’s second attempt is more successful, but not without some hurdles. “We can have lunch over there,” he says, pointing to a room you can only access by taking a couple of steps. “That’s funny,” he adds good-humouredly.” Two members of staff are needed to help this paralympic athlete get up the stairs in his wheelchair. A simple ramp would have avoided all this. But legislation in the Netherlands, like in many other European countries, does not impose clear rules on how and when existing public buildings should be updated to make them accessible. In countries where legislation does exist, it is often ignored because less