She advances with felt, painless, noiseless. And then one day, the diagnosis falls: your kidneys tire, sometimes even until exhaustion. Chronic kidney failure is a bit of the disease that we do not see coming and which nevertheless concerns nearly 6 million people in France. A colossal figure… for an evil that we are talking about so little.
But in Beaujolais, a small team decided to shake up the received ideas and the patients too, by the way. The association Bouge Ton Rein, launched in 2023, offers people with renal pathologies to put movement in their daily lives. Literally. Nordic walking workshops, suitable cuisine, moments of breathing and link: here, we treat differently. And it is Patricia Rudelli, dietician-nutritionist and president of the association, who explains the importance of the movement to better live.
Move your kidney: what are the objectives of the association?
“Our goal is to add Health to the disease”
Created at the beginning of 2023 by a team of caregivers from the nephrology department of the North West hospital of Villefranche-sur-Saône, the Bouge Ton Rein association does not claim to revolutionize the world, but it already transforms many daily newspapers. “We started from a simple observation. Our patients suffer from isolation, misunderstanding, heavy food constraints. We wanted to offer them a bubble of oxygen”says Patricia Rudelli. The project took shape around an united nucleus: Patricia as a presidency, Marie-Claude Crétin, patient and treasurer, Ameline Baret, specialized nurse and secretary, Nelly Hermann, vice-secretary and also patient, and Dr Cécile Teuma, very involved nephrologist.
The ambition is clear: to offer suitable physical activities, exchange times, dietary workshops to get patients out of their illness, or at least its total grip. “What we want is to give a little movement, link, and pleasure to people who are sorely lacking”, explains Patricia.
Move to survive … and to live better
Contrary to what one might think, kidney failure is not a kidney problem only. It is the whole body and often the mind that knits. And there, physical activity becomes an essential lever. “Physical activity improves biological constants, tension, weight… But above all, it is good for morale”insisting Patricia.
But these recommendations do not remain theoretical. Nordic walking, pilates or sophrology workshops are offered. Patients go out, talk to each other, breathe. “It is also getting out of the role of sick”underlines Patricia. “And it’s not nothing.”
Eat to treat yourself … without punishing yourself
Eat well, it is said. But in kidney diseases, it’s much more complicated than that. “We hear anything and anything”sighs Patricia Rudelli. “Some patients are forbidden of foods without reason, others eat without knowing that it aggravates their state. You have to put common sense, pleasure, and above all, personalization.”
Through cooking workshops, picnics, even suitable barbecues, the association offers another approach to therapeutic food. There is no question here of demonizing or frustrating. “We adapt the recipes, we learn to dose, to get around the restrictions while keeping the taste”explains Patricia.
Marie-Claude, patient and member of the BTR association, testifies: “For me, the association is both useful and really pleasant. It allows you to meet people of all ages, to speak with other patients, but also to interact with caregivers, nephrologist, dietician, nurses, in a different setting from the hospital. We share our experiences, we do activities like cooking or sport, we exchange recipes … In fact, we build life projects, while continuing to take care of yourself, talk about it, Hydration, dialysis, transplant and even organ donation… ”
Kidney diseases, pathologies placed in silence
A silent disease, but that shouts if we do not listen to it
Chronic renal failure affects approximately 10 % of the French population according to Public Health France. And yet few people really know what it is. “It’s forgotten chronic diseases”finds Patricia. “Because it does not hurt, because you don’t see anything, you don’t take care of it. And often, when the symptoms appear, it is too late.”
This is why the association also engages in prevention. During the kidney week, the association highlighted the early screening of kidney disease. At the same time, lifestyle, hydration and organ donation were discussed. Because yes, “We are all donors, unless we oppose it. But you still have to talk about it around you.”! ” Appuie the DR Lay.
And there, again, the movement is important: “A good lifestyle is regular physical activity, suitable diet, and hydration of at least 1.5 liters per day”iniste the DR Line.
80 % of undernunned brains: when the kidney also sounds the alarm of the brain
You may not have known it, but according to ANSES, almost 80 % of French people are in a stinging situation. In question, deficiencies in omega-3, vitamins B, magnesium … which affect memory, mood, concentration. Wealthies more than handicapping, especially in already weakened patients.
“The kidney patients do not always eat well, because they have restrictions. But sometimes they avoid too much, or badly, and find themselves in deficiency of essential nutrients for the brain. It is a vicious circle: less energy, more anxiety, less motivation …”, details Patricia Rudelli.
Hence the importance, once again, of personalization, and support by professionals trained in nephrology. “We cannot prescribe the same diet for everyone. It would be dangerous”insists the dietician.
Move your kidney: what future for kidney diseases?
A local association, but not an anecdotal initiative
To date, your kidney moves remains modest. “We do not have the kidneys solid enough to extend at the national level”recognizes Patricia with a smile.
“We are a handful to bring the association to life. We just dream of helping our patients at best. And why not make ourselves known within a radius of 20 km around Villefranche. It would already be huge.”
The end word
When we ask Patricia Rudelli what she would like to say to readers, she answers without hesitation: “May kidney diseases exist. That we can prevent them. And above all, that we can live with, otherwise. Not just survive, but really living.”
And that, believe it or not, it often starts with a walk in the vines, a kitchen workshop or a benevolent discussion with someone who knows what you are going through.
NAMELY
On Saturday May 10, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., the Bouge Ton Rein association offers a workshop entitled “Terre de Siena”. A friendly and fun moment to take care of yourself while highlighting its natural beauty. To book your place, go to the Facebook page of your kidney.
