Dear friends, colleagues and like-minded people,

On behalf of the Department of Photography, Animation and Media Art (FAMM) at the Vilnius Academy of Arts (VDA), we are writing to ask for your solidarity and support for our colleague, lecturer and researcher Dr Jan Glöckner.

Jan is an active member of our academic community. Despite being diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) last year, he successfully defended his doctoral thesis last year and continues to teach, engage in academic and creative work, and develop new projects.

ALS is a rapidly progressive neurological disease that impairs muscle function. Recently, the progression of the disease has severely limited Jan’s mobility – he can no longer walk and is unable to control most of his muscles. Despite his physical limitations, Jan continues to work, teach, create and wishes to remain an active member of the community.

Jan currently urgently needs a specialised electric wheelchair, adapted to his physical condition and controlled by the movement of his remaining fingers. This equipment would allow him to sit without pain, move around, and give him the independence and dignity he needs in his daily life.

The total cost of this wheelchair is 13,500 euros. The state reimbursement process takes far too long and does not keep pace with the rapid progression of his condition, so we are focusing our efforts on ensuring that Jan receives the help he needs in good time. Furthermore, he requires intensive care on a daily basis, yet only part of the costs are reimbursed.

Every contribution makes a real difference, helping Jan to retain his freedom of movement and remain with us.

We sincerely thank you for your solidarity and support.

The teams at the VDA FAMM Department and the NEB Research Centre

(the fundraising campaign is coordinated by lecturer Gailė Cijūnaitytė)

P.S. An interview with Janas about his work and his illness on the LRT website

EN

Dear friends, colleagues and supporters,

On behalf of the Department of Photography, Animation and Media Art (FAMM) at the Vilnius Academy of Arts (VDA), we are reaching out to ask for your support for our colleague, lecturer and researcher Dr Jan Glockner.

Jan is an active member of our community. Despite being diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) last year, he successfully defended his PhD, continues to teach, engages in research and creative work, and develops new projects.

ALS is a rapidly progressive neurological condition that affects muscle function. Recently, the disease has severely restricted Jan’s mobility – he can no longer walk and has lost control of most of his muscles. Despite these physical limitations, Jan continues to work, teach, create and remain an active part of our community.

Jan urgently needs a specialised electric wheelchair adapted to his physical condition, controlled by the remaining function of a single finger. This equipment would allow him to sit without pain, move around, and maintain his independence and dignity in his daily life.

The total cost of the wheelchair is €13,500. Public funding procedures take far too long and cannot keep pace with the rapid progression of the disease, which is why we are coming together to provide this support . Furthermore, Jan requires intensive daily care, only a fraction of which is covered by state funding.

Every contribution makes a real difference, helping Jan to remain mobile, independent and connected with us.

Thank you very much for your solidarity and support.

The faculty and staff of the VDA FAMM Department & NEB Research Centre