what is this disease?

Ève Gilles decided to publicize her fight against the disease. Almost a year after being crowned Miss France 2024, the 21-year-old young woman revealed in an interview with Konbini suffering from paroxysmal dyskinesia since childhood.

Loss of control of movements of the lower limbs and face

This extremely rare neurological pathology manifests itself by attacks during which the patient loses control of the movements of his lower limbs and his face. “These are movements that I do not control for a certain time, between 25 and 40 seconds,” explains Ève Gilles. “It can be an arm that goes inwards, it can be my whole body. It can even be at the level of the face. That’s why often, when I have a crisis, I close my eyes. […] I don’t want people to see me like that,” continues Miss France 2024, who was diagnosed at the age of 14.

The young woman manages to live with this invisible illness thanks to a medication, also used for epilepsy. “I live very well with it,” she assures. “When I have a seizure, I close my eyes. When I feel my eyes going, I don’t want anyone to see me like that.” Ève Gilles reveals having had several seizures in public, notably during her coronation live in front of millions of viewers, and during the Paris Olympics. “Every time, no one sees it,” confides the young woman.

Why is Ève Gilles talking about her illness now, a few weeks before returning her Miss France scarf? “Today, what pushes me to speak out is not just to make my illness known, it is really to be a hope for these people who have invisible illnesses and who do not know how to react , and who are afraid of dreaming too big. A courageous and very inspiring message!