The Big Interview

Blind Stars: Do You See Success Through Different Eyes?

Hansi and Vroni Aigner, who are 93 percent blind, during an interview with the “Krone”(Bild: Mario Urbantschitsch)

Nine medals for Austria at the Paralympics: Siblings Vroni and Hansi Aigner, who are 93 percent blind, are now superstars on the international ski circuit. They talk with Conny Bischofberger about a carefree childhood, jokes about people with disabilities, the joy of sports, and the thick veil over their world.

An organic farm in Wechsel, Lower Austria: In the barn, dairy cows doze with their calves; in front of the house, two cats nap in the afternoon sun. Vroni’s boyfriend Roland leads us up a wooden staircase into the kitchen-diner, where the breakfast table is just being cleared. Hansi’s girlfriend Lena is still at work; her dad is brewing fresh coffee. Nine medals lie on the coffee table—seven gold, one silver, one bronze.