Initiator and founder
of the Göttfried Inclusion Skicup
About me
I am Christine – and I live inclusion.
I am an inclusion ambassador, a philanthropist, an athlete, and a person with a big heart.
I was born with tetraspasticity , a form of spastic paralysis that affects my arms, legs, and speech.
But that never stopped me from actively shaping my life.
I love to laugh, I love life, Lake Tegernsee, and the people who accompany me.
And I am convinced that together we can achieve anything – if we trust each other to accomplish great things.
"I have learned that barriers disappear when people have the courage to truly meet each other."
my stoRry
I grew up in a time when inclusion was hardly an issue.
For many children with disabilities, this meant: special school, exclusion, few opportunities.
But my parents refused to accept that.
They fought to ensure that I could attend regular kindergarten and later regular school – against much resistance.
I learned early on that it's worth standing up for equality – even if it's uncomfortable. And that sometimes you have to take the more difficult path to be seen.
After school, I completed an apprenticeship, worked, and took on responsibilities.
I wanted to live independently – with leisure assistance and everyday assistance, but according to my own rules.
And that's exactly what I still do today.
My childhood
My life began on Thursday, November 23, 1972 at 6:15 p.m. , almost three months after the Olympic Games.
I was born in beautiful Munich, more precisely in the Nymphenburg district in the Third Order Hospital, and on November 30, 1972 I was baptized in the St. Francis Chapel in the same hospital.
While I was in the birth canal, I decided at the last minute to do one last pirouette. This spontaneous turn, however, had consequences for my central nervous system . It was damaged during my forceps delivery, resulting in spastic paralysis.
Tetraspastik means that my arms and legs are affected by spastic spasms. But not only that, my trunk muscles and speech muscles are also affected.
My speech requires some patience from my conversation partners, as my flow of speech is slower . A wheelchair has accompanied me on my life's journey since childhood.
"My childhood shaped me in a very special way. Inclusion was a foreign word back then, something unknown and unimaginable."
A tough time
My parents were incredibly persistent and fought hard for me to have the chance to attend a regular kindergarten and primary school here in the Tegernsee Valley. I was the first child with a disability to attend these places. This fighting spirit that my parents instilled in me has influenced my entire life and made me the person I am today.
To be honest, my childhood wasn't only characterized by these positive experiences . Before I started kindergarten in Rottach in the late 1970s and went to elementary school in Kreuth in the early 1980s, I had to overcome many challenges.
I spent a lot of time at the children's hospital in Aschau, where I had Achilles tendon lengthening surgery. Before that, I was at the Spastic Center in Munich and the Pfennigparade.
As a small child, these experiences were personally horrific for me and left a deep mark on me. But that's precisely why I'm so passionate about fighting for inclusion.
turning point
One moment in particular changed my life: my first day of skiing.
The first time I sat in the skibob , I felt free – light, strong and alive.
For the first time in a long time, my disability was irrelevant.
There was only the snow, the speed, the wind, and that incredible feeling of "I can do this!"
This moment was a turning point.
He showed me how much is possible if you have the courage to try something new.
And he awakened in me the desire to enable other people with disabilities to experience exactly this feeling.
"I never wanted to prove what I can do despite my disability – but rather what I can achieve with it ."
My drive
I have learned that inclusion begins in the mind.
When we engage with each other, when we see and support each other,
Then our society will become more humane – and richer.
I want to encourage you.
Courage to show oneself.
Courage to try new things.
Courage to actively shape one's own life – even with a disability.
The origins of the Göttfried Inclusion Ski Cup
My personal experience on the slopes gave rise to an idea: a ski race where people with and without disabilities start together.
Not a competition where it's only about winning – but about encounters, joy, and togetherness. In 2017, this became a reality: the Göttfried Inclusion Ski Cup.
What began with just a few participants is now a passion project with a reach far beyond the region. People from all over Germany – and now even from other countries – come to Kreuth to demonstrate together on the slopes that inclusion works.
When I see the smiling faces, feel the enthusiasm, and witness barriers simply disappearing, I know that this is exactly my mission.
"I have learned that barriers disappear when people have the courage to truly meet each other."
My foundation & current work
Over time, it became clear to me: I wanted inclusion to be more than just a once-a-year event at the Ski Cup. I wanted to create something lasting - a platform that fosters encounters and breaks down barriers where they still exist.
So, in 2020, I founded the Christine Göttfried Foundation for Inclusion. It supports projects and individuals who live inclusion in everyday life: in schools, in communities, in sports, and in culture.
The foundation is my passion project - it stands for sustainability, community, and lived humanity.
what I do
For many years, I have been committed to making inclusion tangible in everyday life.
My involvement ranges from sports and culture to local government work.
Here's a glimpse into what I'm passionate about:
Since December 2000: Senior Citizens' and Disabled Persons' Representative for the municipality of Kreuth am Tegernsee – I oversee construction projects, advocate for accessibility, and represent the interests of people with disabilities and senior citizens in the community. Since November 2015: Inclusion Officer for the Tegernsee Ski School – I promote inclusive snow sports programs and, together with the ski instructors, support people with disabilities on their journey into winter sports. Since November 2016: "Butzi Special Ambassador" of the Bräustüberl Tegernsee – a heartfelt honor recognizing my openness and zest for life, which has inspired many people there for years. Since February 2017: Initiator and Founder of the Göttfried Inclusion Ski Cup – an inclusive giant slalom race where athletes with and without disabilities compete together. March 2017 – October 2022: Ambassador of the Snow Sports Foundation. Since April 2018: Co-founder of the association F.I.T. – Freundeskreis Inklusion Tegernsee e. V. (Friends of Inclusion Tegernsee) – together we create spaces for encounters for everyone. Since October 2020: Founder and donor of the Christine Göttfried Foundation for Inclusion – here I support projects, initiatives, and people who make inclusion visible in everyday life. Since March 2023: Member and supporter of Kunterbunte Inklusion e. V. (Colorful Inclusion Association) – for creative, vibrant inclusion ideas with heart. Since October 2023: Active supporter of the "Artists with Heart" initiative – because art connects and opens new perspectives. Since February 2024: Member of the Miesbach Women's Union district association – advocating for a stronger female voice in society. Since February 2025: Member of the local CSU Kreuth executive committee – because I want to make inclusion politically visible. Since October 2025: Candidate for the Miesbach municipal and district councils – to further promote accessibility, participation, and inclusion at the local level.
"I have learned that barriers disappear when people have the courage to truly meet each other."
award
For my commitment to inclusion and accessibility, I was awarded the social prize of the district of Miesbach .
This honor means a lot to me – not because I received it alone, but because it shows that perseverance and compassion for others are worthwhile.
She is an incentive for me to continue on my path and to encourage even more people to take their place in our society as a matter of course.
Characteristics
Name
Christine Göttfried
Zodiac sign
Sagittarius
religious denomination
Roman Catholic
favorite color
Orange and pink
favorite drink
Latte Macchiato
Hot chocolate
Black tea
Hugo
white wine spritzer
favorite musician
Nik Wallner
Tim McGraw
Michael Bublé
Bing Crosby
Dean Martin
Frank Sinatra
Amy Grant
Anastacia
Céline Dion
favorite author
Andreas Föhr
Harlan Coben
Dan Brown
Nicholas Sparks
Nora Roberts
Jane Austen
Favorite movie
Pretty Woman
Hatari! (1962)
Die große Liebe meines Lebens
Favorite movie theme song
Let It Go
The Last Unicorn
nickname
Skihaslprinzessin
Eye color
brown
nationality
German
favorite place
Tegernseer Tal & USA
favorite ice cream
caramel ice cream
Vanilla ice cream
chocolate ice cream
frozen yogurt
Strawberry sorbet
Lemon ice cream
favorite band
ABBA
Rat Pack
Beach Boys
Queen
The Three Tenors
Roxette
Chicago
America
a-ha
favorite opera
Die Zauberflöte
Favorite-
actor
Cary Grant
Sean Connery
Harrison Ford
Alan Rickman
Jack Nicholson
Bruce Willis
Birthday
23. November 1972
Hair color
brown
Federal State
Bavaria
favorite animal
Red deer and chickens
favorite cake
Prinzregententorte
Marmorkuchen
Apfelstrudel
Donauwelle
Erdbeerbiskuitrolle
favorite song
Landweilig
Edelweiss
Hoamatgefühl
Ave Maria
Nessun Dorma
My Way
Smile
favorite operetta
Die lustige Witwe
Gräfin Mariza
Der Vogelhändler
Die Fledermaus
Favorite-
actress
Angela Lansbury
Diane Keaton
Barbra Streisand
Audrey Hepburn
Deborah Kerr
Doris Day
Place of birth
Munich
height
168 cm
disability
Tetraspastic
favorite food
Venison roast
and Caesar Salad
favorite book
Wallner & Kreuthner Reihe von Andreas Föhr (Hörbuch)
Gestohlene Träume
von Nora Roberts
(Hörbuch)
Favorite musical
MAMMA MIA!
Elisabeth
Das Phantom der Oper
Les Miserables
EVITA
STARLIGHT EXPRESS
WEST SIDE STORY
favorite series
Downton Abbey
Inspector Barnaby
Mord ist ihr Hobby
Navy CIS
Castle
Der Doktor und das liebe Vieh (Remakee)
Der Feuersturm
Feuersturm und Asche
Favorite-
director
Steven Spielberg
George Lucas
Rob Reiner
Alfred Hitchcock
