On Wednesday September 18, the Villeroy park in Mennecy hosted the 3rd edition of the “Walk, ride, breathe” event, organized by the Essonne Departmental Handisport Committee (CDH 91). This day, dedicated to the discovery of outdoor sports adapted to people with disabilities, brought together visitors from all over the department.
The Essonne Handisport Committee encourages inclusion throughout the year and strengthens links between able-bodied people and people with disabilities. The “Walk, Ride, Breathe” event supports this mission. This year, the edition took place on Wednesday September 18 at Villeroy Park in Mennecy.
Johan Daix, founder of the Adaptateam cross-training association in Montlhéry, welcomes this initiative. Although his club did not have a stand this year, he emphasizes the importance of bringing these two audiences together in common activities: “ The goal is to bring together able-bodied and disabled people in the same challenge, to surpass themselves in pairs, without the able-bodied playing the role of assistants.. We have couples who train together and they are excited to have this opportunity. »
Sport accessible to all
Throughout the day, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., visitors from the four corners of Essonne had the opportunity to learn about or test the adapted sports disciplines of their choice: hiking, cycle touring, flight drone, but also thrilling activities such as paragliding, all-terrain wheelchair or even wheelchair rollerblading with the Soliroues association in Massy which has been very successful. “ It was great, I felt like I was sliding, I couldn’t do it for long, because I would need a more inclined seat, but as soon as they have a suitable joëlette, I’ll come back », confides Marie-Laure, a 60-year-old resident of Marcoussis. This testimony encourages the club to persevere in these inclusive activities where everyone finds their place. “ The person in the wheelchair is pushed by the person(s) on roller skates behind. She has an essential role, because she is the one who sees the obstacles, she will be able to announce them and also help to move forward on the sides. Wheelchair roller skating is sporty for everyone », Says Ivan Bailly, president of Soliroues.
This association forum focused on disabled sports highlighted various sports to allow everyone to find a physical activity corresponding to their desires and abilities. This is what Sabrina, 48 years old, from Saint-Michel-sur-Orge, was looking for. Inspired by the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, she came with the desire to find a sport that would allow her to remain active despite her disability: “ We realize by watching these athletes that we can do anything, regardless of our physical state. I came here to find what would suit me best. » Ultimately, the event allowed him to eliminate certain options such as paragliding and climbing because of his vertigo, and drone flying, due to an arm disability.
Concrete measures to support disability
This highlight encouraged meetings to better live with one’s disability. Adeline, 38 years old, resident of Etréchy, came to find sporting activities, but also to seek answers about daily life: “ I have had difficulty walking for 25 years and soon I will only be in a wheelchair. Here, I find answers, I am given advice on all the steps to follow to support my disability. And it’s really good to see all these people exchanging and communicating. It is essential and it is sorely lacking in our daily lives. »
