Meeting a lover of life.
While he walks in Les Salins to forget the illness that leaves his wife in a hospital bed, Christian Bompard, living in the Mateille district, comes across a Nordic walking group. He has been thinking about doing physical activity for a while. To get away from your daily life as a family caregiver, to get some fresh air. So he approaches the group and gets information. The contact is warm. It's decided: he joins the Gruissan sports events (GSE) walkers.
At the same time, the caregiver that he is, finds comfort and support from the France Alzheimer association.
Once a widower, Christian joined the office of the two associations and accepted positions of responsibility. At GSE, he became sector manager on the Gruissan kinetik trail, the club's flagship event, and supervising Nordic walking sessions.
At France Alzheimer, it covers caregiver/assisted stays. “We leave for 11 days. The preparation begins three months before and ends two months later. We take care of the sick, we relieve the caregivers. They will relax while we manage their sick loved ones. On site, we must be available 24 hours a day. Many people have difficulty understanding why I do this, after having experienced what I experienced with my wife. They ask me if I haven't suffered enough. But I have! trains caregivers, groups of speech, stays, vacations, etc. I was concerned. I return the help that was given to me..
But it doesn't stop there. He also chose to get involved with the Association for the Right to Die with Dignity (ADMD). An awareness that is close to his heart after having been confronted with Alzheimer's and its consequences.
For him, the volunteer spirit means not knowing how to say no: “Knowing me, if I go to other associations, I’m screwed!” he declares. It is also a way to see the world, to have human relationships, to create social bonds. To live, ultimately and perhaps also to stay young if we are to believe this dashing septuagenarian who concludes: “My principle is that as long as I am not old, I continue. The day I am the oldest, then I will be old. But in the meantime, I continue.”
