It was an unfortunate word. One more pronounced on Laurent Delahousse’s 8 p.m. set on March 5. Reacting to the departure of several members of his close guard, François Fillon repeated three times: “I am not autistic”.
Words that ignited the web, but which above all illustrate the narrow vision of politics on disability. Moreover, the subject occupies between 1 and 10 seconds over 1h30 during the meetings of the presidential candidates, remarks Philippe Croizon in the columns of the Parisian.
Amputated of the limbs, the man notably illustrated himself by connecting the five continents. But this time, this handicapped man has tackled a new, equally formidable battle. Like him, they are 12 million voters, injured in life, to want to make politicians aware of their situation.
Philippe Croizon and sixteen personalities sent an open letter to politicians with proposals for concrete measures. Dominique Farrugia, Gilbert Montagné and many others have come together in a collective “to make visible the demands of specialized associations”, recalls the daily.
8,000 adults and children are exiled to Belgium for lack of space in medico-social establishments in France. 47,000 people are without care.
“The world of the able-bodied and the invalid do not rub shoulders very much”, observes Grand Corps Malade, signatory of the appeal, whose film patients fills the cinemas. Proof that society’s view of disability is changing. The successes of‘Untouchables or of The Aries Family attest to it.
It therefore remains to guide that of the men and women who govern us. Mélanie will perhaps convince them. This evening, this young person with Down syndrome will realize her dream: to present the weather forecast in the 8 p.m. news on France 2. She has received the support of 100,000 Internet users to achieve this. No doubt, it will announce an upturn in the sky for the day tomorrow.
