In Pévèle, Le Huitième jour inaugurated a new wing on Thursday November 28 in Landas. This shared house is the new home of seven people, among the most independent of those with disabilities welcomed by the association. A “springboard for the future”.
And ” On the eighth day, God created George, and he saw that it was good », the following year, the film (from which this quote is taken) also inspired the creation of an association. Sponsored by Pascal Duquenne – the “Georges” of Huitième jour (the film) – Le Huitième jour (the association) settled in Landas a few years later, on land offered by the town hall. In 2003, the walls rose from the ground, the doors opened and around forty “intellectually disabled” adults – “ the terms used at the time » – settled there.
The synopsis is detailed by one of the main actors, Michel Sibile in the role of president of the association since 2015. “ In 2019, we were authorized for four additional places », he applauds. To the three existing wings, the fourth is added with “ a new breath “. It will not be one more home but a shared house which will accommodate “ the most autonomous » residents.
Autonomy and free will
The most independent are Fabienne, Rodrigue, Aline, Zoé, Vanessa, Valentin and Lorenzo. Everyone has an activity, in the kitchen, in the linen room, at the supermarket, at the town hall or at the village media library. “ This is one of the components of inclusion: feeling usefulobserves the president of the association. Take the risk of confronting reality. » The shared house is « a springboard to the future », he imagines.
Aline opens the doors to her new room for us. At the end of November, she has already installed some Christmas decorations, the bed is made, the bathroom is sparkling. Nothing that surprises her mother, her daughter is very orderly. Of the seven rooms, it was – logically – hers that Charlotte Parmentier-Lecocq visited during the inauguration on Thursday November 28. The one who was then Minister Delegate for Disabled People came as a neighbor, she who was elected in this same northern constituency.
« This association is progressing in a project that puts people with disabilities at the heart [du projet] and can have free willshe congratulates. This know-how and this philosophy go towards a more inclusive society. The residents have desires, projects, and want to demonstrate everything they can do. » Autonomy – “certainly accompanied” – and free will are thus the foundations of inclusive housing.
Read also: Disability. They agree autism and employment
Adult life
The Minister then assured that the State was there, alongside the associations and the Department, and wanted to reassure. “ All financial solutions decided in 2023 will continue. Budgets are protected to continue developing these solutions despite the budget deficit », she certified a few days before the fall of the Barnier government. But Charlotte Parmentier-Lecocq has more than one hat on her head, including that of departmental councilor for the North. The structure chaired by Christian Poiret is clearly invested in the functioning of the association, which also relies on its members and donors. She also provided €128,000 for this project, supplemented by, among others, the Lions club.
« One territory is not another. One disability is not another”continues Sylvie Clerc-Cuvelier, vice-president responsible for disability at the Northern departmental council, who went to meet the territories. “ If we want to meet the needs of supported Northerners, we must understand that when we want to live our adult life, staying in certain establishments infantilizes. she said, referring to “the ascent towards autonomy: always going further and higher. » The elected official greeted the professionals in the medico-social sector, “ these professions of the heart “, among ” the most beautiful in the world »who have so much to give and so much to receive.
She recalled the date of December 13, signing of the next CPOM (Multi-year contract of objectives and means, editor’s note) which centers around “ better integrate into the city and into society.” In this, the Landasian shared house is an illustration. “ A great day for the Eighth day », pronounced Michel Sibile during the inauguration.
Louise Tesse
