fight and enjoy my life or mope”, Gaëlle’s invincible strength to live

« Once Charcot disease is diagnosed, life expectancy is three to five years. But I refuse that. » Gaëlle Hoorelbeke is categorical. After many meanderings from specialist to specialist, for this 47-year-old woman, the ax fell in August 2023.

It was Charcot’s disease that affected him, first slowing down his speech, then his motor skills. Now, to speak, she sometimes uses an application. Today, the legs are slowly giving way. But she keeps walking. Daily life is difficult. “Look at my left hand, I can’t do anything with it anymore. » Over time Gaëlle knows, she will be a prisoner in her body, without her spirit, intact, faltering. But nothing, especially not illness, stops him from living. So yes, it’s hard. And his gaze sometimes freezes when he has to consider the future.

But nothing is worth life. So she bites it. Since the diagnosis was made, Gaëlle has been traveling. “Before it’s too late and I can’t move.” On the walls of his kitchen, photos, memories. And room to hang more. “The negative pollutes life,” proclaims this pretty brunette. So she chases him away. She also proclaims it on social networks, on which she has been very active since the diagnosis: “I had two choices. Fight and enjoy my life or languish.” She didn’t hesitate for a second.

Great sports

Even if it’s a constant battle. Despite atrophy and fatigue, every morning, Gaëlle gets ready, gets ready, puts on makeup. Her 14-year-old son and his partner take turns helping her. That day, she wore an immaculate white sweatshirt with this single royal blue inscription: “Invincible”.

That’s his state of mind. It is also the name of an association which raises funds for research against Charcot’s disease. “We need to make this disease known, there is no treatment to date. » She has always been sporty. Horse riding, zumba and running. So many pleasures that she has gradually given up.

But there is one ground on which this fighter continues to advance. The fight against his illness. “I have always been very quick in my character, my actions. Today, I can’t anymore. You need a lot of serenity to face illness,” says Gaëlle. An acquired serenity that allows him to continue to make things happen.

During the 10^e edition of Tacan (All Agen runs at Christmas), she was at the head of the start of the 5 km, in a joëlette (type of all-terrain disabled sports chair), surrounded by her friends who took turns pushing her. A first for her. Which she intends to repeat in a race that this time she will organize for the Invincible association. She joined forces with her former employer, Axa and the Sud Management school.

Everything is already ready. “It will be a race for everyone, on foot, by joëlette, by running, by walking… The main thing is to raise funds.” The meeting is set for March 9, in Passeligne.