This Sunday, September 29, 2024, C8 is broadcasting a new episode of “Mongeville”, a series in which Francis Perrin plays a retired investigating judge. A television career that contrasts with his personal struggle: changing prejudices about autism. He who is the father of Louis, affected by this syndrome.
Francis Perrin: His wife Gersende blamed for their son’s autism, this inappropriate sentence that she will never forget
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Francis and Gersende Perrin form a solid couple, united by love and the fight for their son Louis. At just three years old, he was diagnosed with severe autism. At the time, doctors and specialists in France seemed helpless in the face of this condition. During consultations, a specialized psychiatrist gave them a sentence that was as shocking as it was unforgettable: “You need to grieve for your child.”according to the words of the 76-year-old actor in the show We are not in beddated June 9, 2012. “You have to let it go.”he added. A shock for the parents, already exhausted by a year of ordeals.
Francis Perrin: his wife Gersende accused of being “a bad mother”
More the horror don’t stop there. Gersende is directly accused: “Madam, you are a bad mother”while Francis is singled out for his age: “Sir, you are too old a father!” As the mother always on the set of Laurent Ruquier tells us, a psychologist even told her that her son Louis was like that because she “did not have him baptized“. A sentence that shocked the audience present during the interview.
These words still resonate in the couple’s minds. It was not Louis, nor his autism, who caused the family to suffer, but these professionals, unable to understand the situation. However, this painful experience pushes them to look for solutions elsewhere.
ABA, a revolutionary but controversial treatment
Faced with the French medical impasse, Gersende Perrin goes to the United States to discover a revolutionary method, ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis). This treatment, without the use of medications, is based on behavioral stimulation. In France, it was still little accepted at the time, but the Perrin family persevered.
From the first days of treatment, the results are spectacular. Louis begins to progress, to communicate, and becomes more and more independent. Today, the young man has even become an actor, as his father proudly announced on the set of Roll on Sundayon September 15. “Thanks to this treatment, he was able to develop his autonomy”explained Francis Perrin, saluting the courage of his wife and the unity of the whole family.
A family united in adversity
Louis’ journey is not only marked by the care provided via ABA, but also by the constant support of his brothers and sisters. Gersende and Francis Perrin, parents of five children, ensure that these siblings remain united. Jeanne, Clarisse, Baptiste, Cécile, and Fabiola all played a role in the development of their brother Louis.
“We never hid anything from our children“confides Gersende Perrin. The family openly discusses Louis’ future after the disappearance of his parents, and this question is regularly discussed around the family table. This transparency is crucial to maintaining harmony and preparing everyone for what comes next.
For parents, this fight will never end. The latter continue to carry the voice of all families faced with autism in France by making Louis’ Autism a subject of hope and solidarity.
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Francis and Gersende Perrin had marked the whole of France with their poignant story… Francis Perrin and his wife Gersende Dufromentel attending the Paris premiere of Demain Tout Commence at the Le Grand Rex cinema in Paris, France. Photo by Alban Wyters/ABACAPRESS.COM
Their son, Louis, was diagnosed with severe autism at the age of 3… The actor Francis Perrin celebrates the 400th anniversary of the birth of Molière by inaugurating a statue of the master of French literature in Pézenas, in the south of France, January 14, 2022. Although he was not born in Pézenas, Molière was adopted as a local child in the Hérault city which retains its chair and is organizing, this weekend, a theatrical marathon. Photo by Patrick Aventurier/ABACAPRESS.COM
After consulting health specialists, the couple was lynched “You must mourn your son”… Francis Perrin and his wife Gersende Dufromentel – People at the performance of the play “A president does not shouldn’t say that…” at the Théâtre Libre in Paris. March 15, 2023 © Bertrand Rindoff / Bestimage
The French actor certainly did not intend to stop there and decided to tell their story in the book “Louis, step by step”… Francis Perrin attends the exhibition ‘Goscinny and the cinema – Asterix, Lucky Luke & Ice ‘ at the Cinémathèque française in Paris, France on October 02, 2017. Photo by Jerome Domine/ABACAPRESS.COM
Francis Perrin remembers the phrase that marked his wife Gersende, “You are a bad mother”… Francis Perrin and his wife in the stands of the French Open tennis tournament at Roland-Garros in Paris, France, on May 30 2013. Photo by ABACAPRESS.COM
Now, these bad memories are far behind this united family Louis Perrin (son of Francis Perrin), Francis Perrin with his wife Gersende Perrin, Clarisse Perrin – Ramatuelle Festival; Personalities on the sidelines of the performance of “L’école des femmes” at the Théâtre de Verdure on August 10, 2022. They will meet up the same evening in costume to perform the play. © Cyril Bruneau / Ramatuelle Festival / Bestimage
Photo par Nasser Berzane/ABACAPRESS.COM
Francis Perrin and his wife Gersende posing during a photo shoot in Paris, France, in February 2014. Photo by VIM/ABACAPRESS.COM
Francis Perrin posing during the opening ceremony of the 54th Monte-Carlo Television Festival in Monte-Carlo, Monaco on June 7, 2014. Photo by Marco Piovanotto/ABACAPRESS.COM
Francis Perrin and his wife Gersende Perrin sign copies of their book during the 33rd Paris Book Fair held at the Parc des Expositions, Porte de Versailles in Paris, France on March 24, 2013. Photo by Alban Wyters/ABACAPRESS.COM
Francis Perrin at the 12th Festival de la Fiction TV in La Rochelle, France on September 11, 2010. Photo by Patrick Bernard/ABACAPRESS.COM
Francis Perrin and Gersende Perrin during the 17th edition of the “Foret Des Livres” signing session in Chanceaux-Pres-Loches, France on August 26, 2012. Photo by Nicolas Briquet/ABACAPRESS.COM
Francis Perrin during the recording of Vivement Dimanche on March 21, 2012 in Paris, France. Photo by Max Colin/ABACAPRESS.COM
Francis Perrin attending the French premiere of ‘Mirror Mirror’ (Blanche Neige) held at Opera Gaumont in Paris, France on April 1, 2012. Photo by ABACAPRESS.COM
Francis Perrin and his wife pose in Paris, France, in September 2011. Photo by VIM/ABACAPRESS.COM
Francis Perrin and his wife Gersende – Generale of the play ” ça couloque de source ” written by LM Colla at the Gaîté-Montparnasse theater in Paris, May 30, 2017. © Coadic Guirec/Bestimage
Francis Perrin and his wife Gersende in an intimate moment after the show – Francis Perrin celebrates his 50th career and returns to the stage for a special evening with “Molière spite Moi” at the Théâtre de la Gaîté-Montparnasse in Paris on June 18 2016 surrounded by family and friends. © Romuald Meigneux / Bestimage
