Revved up, Rolling with Attitude: Pimping my Rollator
Push me towards the moon or beyond it instead
I'm diving headfirst into the world of rollators. No kidding. No jests. No self-deprecating humor trips about ridiculous emotional overexaggeration. For real.
On June 19th, I'll be bidding adieu to LÜbeck, heading towards Hamburg — all for the Social Design Week. And guess what's on the itinerary: Customizing my rollator.
Yes, you heard it right. It's an actual event. Not just slapping floral duct-tape on old wheels. It's all about swagger, pace, design, self-worth, and a dash of madness.
My mission?
To refashion a rollator that looks like it's cruising at 200 mph at a standstill.
"Fast at a standstill."
That phrase itself is a philosophy. A sleek paradox. An enticing enigma.
Because who says you can't roar like a racecar with 4 wheels and a seat?
I want to stir things up. Compellingly, of course.
Why are mobility aids always dull in color? Always medical? Always whispering "I'm old, please avert your gaze"?
Why not "I'm here, look at me!"?
Why not racing stripes? Low-profile tires? Sporty spoilers?
Who says dignity can't be a little rebel-rousing?
The best part: It's not just about design. It's about perspective.
About speed in slowness.
About style in necessity.
About attention for something that's often dismissed, overlooked, unacknowledged.
And yes, I'm aware: I'm not quite 80 yet.
But I understand what it feels like to be dismissed.
To feel like you're not keeping up, but left by the wayside.
And that's why I'm doing this.
Not because I have to.
But because I wish to.
Because I believe that everything—really everything—can be a platform.
Even a rollator.
So, Hamburg, buckle up.
Because my rollator seems ready for lift-off.
And who knows, perhaps it'll propel us forward—towards a more human-centric pace.
About the Author
Alexander Lachmann, born in 1982, is a creative business strategist, though the title 'Creative Director Text and Concept' can be quite the mouthful. Alexander Lachmann creates advertising campaigns, pens them, from the grand overarching concept down to the smallest social media post. He delves into films, posters, flyers, and now this column too. Check out a selection of his past work on his website, www.iwrotethisshit.com.
In late 2024, he kick-started the art project www.einwortsagtmehralstausendbilder.de. By early 2025, he had already staged his inaugural solo exhibition "Hashtagreality," on display from May 15th at the Paritarian Service in Braunschweig. Until June 30th, he'll be holed up in a transitional space—and then on the hunt for a new creative sanctuary.
Photo Credits: Alexander Lachmann
Websites: www.iwrotethisshit.com | einwortsagtmehralstausendbilder.de
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In the spirit of defying conventional expectations, I envision a lifestyle redefined with a customized rollator, blending elements of fashion-and-beauty and home-and-garden, crafting an accessory that roars like a racecar yet stands still.
Fast-forward to June 19th, my desire for transformation becomes a reality as I step into the Social Design Week, where I plan to infuse my rollator with swagger, pace, design, self-worth, and a touch of rebellion, mirroring the sleek paradox of being "fast at a standstill."
