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Mission: media

2006-2007

Mis(s) Election

Outrage erupted when Lucille announced her idea for a beauty pageant for women with physical disabilities. Why, people asked, should there be such a competition? For Lucille, the answer was simple: she wanted to showcase the potential of women with disabilities.

By embracing vulnerability (for example, in swimwear), Lucille and the contestants aimed to show that they are not objects of care, but just as beautiful and strong as able-bodied people, with tremendous courage and authenticity. They think in terms of possibilities and create opportunities. The show aimed to break down lingering prejudices. The live show on May 31, 2006, was unforgettable, with Roos Prommenschenckel crowned as the first ‘Miss Unlimited Netherlands’, receiving her crown from Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende. Over 1.6 million people tuned in to the groundbreaking broadcast, which was aired by TROS.

A year later, Reni de Boer won the second edition.

The program format was sold to four countries.

YouTube Mis(s) Election 2006

YouTube Mis(s) Election 2007

2008 Nobody Is Perfect

2007-2008

Nobody Is Perfect

Commissioned by the Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Sport, Lucille conceived a film trailer to positively portray people with disabilities, shown in cinemas before feature films. The trailer, titled Nobody Is Perfect, was directed by Frans Weisz and involved almost 40 people with disabilities in its production. The thrilling trailer will be shown in theaters in the spring of 2008 and carries a powerful message: Nobody Is Perfect. No Body Is Perfect. Are You?

2008-2009

CAPawards

Following two successful editions of the Mis(s) Election, Lucille and the foundation created a new television format, the CAPawards, to further promote the positive image of people with disabilities. In 2008 and 2009, awards were presented during the TV program No Shortage of Talent, where nine candidates showcased their abilities in work, sports, or hobbies, despite their disabilities.

2009-2012

Cappies

In 2009, the foundation introduced Cappies, an initiative highlighting the talents of children with physical disabilities. Five finalists showcased their abilities on stage, and the winner became the Child Ambassador for Disabled Children for a year.

2013-2016

Caps Club

The adventurous youth series, made for kids aged 8 to 14, was developed by Lucille and produced under the Lucille Werner Foundation. The series follows a boy named Cappie, played by Tom van Hulle, who has a visual impairment that heightens his other senses. Together with his friends Sam, Ruben, and Charlotte, he forms a club called Caps Club.

Their clubhouse is an old treehouse, which their friend Siggy, who uses a wheelchair and is an inventor, modifies to make accessible for all members. The friends in Caps Club go on thrilling adventures and solve many mysteries.

The series contributed to the integration of children with disabilities.

Three seasons of eight episodes each were made, and the series has been sold to seven countries.

Andrea Bocelli

2014

Andrea Bocelli

Lucille traveled to Italy for an exclusive interview with world famous singer Andrea Bocelli. He shares her mission of giving people with disabilities a voice through his own foundation.

2017

Mis(s) Election

After ten years, the Mis(s) Election returned to television on SBS 6. In May 2017, Lucille hosted, together with Kees Tol, the two-hour live show, where six women with physical disabilities competed for the title of ‘Mis(s) 2017’. Mirande Bakker won the competition and was crowned by Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

The principles of the program remained unchanged: the Mis(s) Election focused on outer beauty, but more importantly, on courage and a strong personality. During several rounds, the six contestants showed that, despite or perhaps because of their disabilities, they are powerful and beautiful individuals. This once again contributed to the emancipation movement for people with disabilities. A cause that remains necessary, as stereotypes and prejudices about disabled people persist.

The winner Mirande Bakker

2019

Minister of Disability Affairs

In June 2019, during a live broadcast on KRO-NCRV, Rick Brink was chosen as the first minister of Disability Affairs in the Netherlands. The idea for the show came from Lucille. Together with Anita Witzier, she hosted the program from the Kurhaus in Scheveningen.

Brink’s main task as minister of Disability Affairs was to give a voice to people with disabilities by lobbying for them, challenging existing legislation, and implementing new ideas. Hugo de Jonge, then minister of Health, Welfare, and Sport, with a focus on disability care, frequently invited Brink to his department.

Brink became an important discussion partner for ministries, knowledge organizations, and advocacy groups. He served as minister of Disability Affairs for KRO-NCRV for two years and remained highly active in improving the position of people with disabilities. In May 2024, Brink passed away at the age of 38, much too young.

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