The premises of the Les Tournesols Charentais association, in Angoulême, resemble the living room of “everyone”. In the middle of the room, a large dining table. A little further, a kitchen area and a sofa. On the walls, group photos, “inspiring messages”, drawings made by members. There is no doubt about it, we are in a place of life… However, no one lives here. It is a place of welcome and exchange where members of the association meet several times a week.
This mutual support group (GEM) was created to support people with brain injuries. Its objective is to break isolation and recreate social bonds. These brain lesions originate from a stroke or head trauma. They can cause after-effects and alter sensory, behavioral and psychological motor skills.
Daily difficulties
The members of the association welcome us with the biggest smiles. Many came for the visit. Around the large table, no less than 10 people. Members, companions and a specialized educator. Among them, Sylvie, 62 years old, president of the association. She herself is affected by brain injury. After two strokes, she was fired from an association structure of which she was director at the time for unfitness for work. When she heard about the creation of Tournesols Charentais, Sylvie wanted to bring her skills to the project. “I had lost confidence in myself. Today, I am very happy with the recognition that the members have given me.”
After brief presentations, each person recounts their life journey. Emmanuelle is epileptic. Clémentine had meningitis at birth. Bénédicte is Eric’s wife; he lost the ability to speak following a stroke. They all talk about the daily difficulties and professional obstacles they face under the caring eye of Cyril, a specialist educator. “The disabled person is not defined by their disability. She is a person in her own right and this is the association’s fight,” he recalls.
Brain damage, an invisible handicap
“Sometimes people consider us “lazy”. Our behavior may seem “disturbing” because the brain damage is still unknown,” says Clémentine.
The name of the association was not chosen by chance. The sunflower is the universal symbol of invisible disability. Worldwide, one billion people have a disability. For 80% of them, it is not visible. On the other hand, the initials of “Tournesols Charentais”, “TC” are also those of “head trauma”, injuries causing brain damage. To remove taboos around brain injuries, Tournesols Charentais organize workshops. A good opportunity to raise public awareness of inclusion.
