“It wasn’t my day”, two road survivors tell “the aftermath”

Thierry, 58, and Jean-Jacques, 75, have never met. But each being the victim of a serious road accident, fate hit them hard three days apart. On November 14, 2024, Thierry, a volunteer at Restos du coeur, was riding his motorcycle in the town center of Champdeniers when he collided with the car of a 90-year-old driver. “I just had time to say to myself: “This is going to hit hard. ” »

It hit hard. “My whole left leg took, the knee exploded, the kneecap and femur are broken, all the ligaments were ruptured. I also had a brain hemorrhage, causing me some memory problems. » Aware throughout his care by emergency services, Thierry underwent a major operation. “I have pins and clogs everywhere. » After two weeks in the orthopedic department of Niort hospital, the fifty-year-old was transferred to follow-up and rehabilitation care in Cholet. “I’m told it may be necessary to have a second operation, but nothing is certain. »

On November 17, Jean-Jacques, a retired entrepreneur, was walking home from an exhibition organized by the Association of Amateur Painters of Chauray (Apac). While crossing a pedestrian crossing, he was violently hit by a motorist. “I was thrown 13.80 m, according to the police. The firefighters told me that I was conscious after the accident but for me it was a black hole. »

It’s not just physical injuries

His pelvis and collarbone were fractured, his left ankle was in pieces. “They first took me to Poitiers University Hospital because I had a blood effusion, then I went to Niorttestifies Jean-Jacques from his room in orthopedic surgery. In this misfortune, I realize that I am quite strong at my age. This morning I got up for the first time, I know I’ll get over it. »

After an accident, the injuries are not only physical, there are those, less visible, which attack morale. While speaking with the medical examiner, Thierry must have remembered the accident. “It freaked me out when I got into the details of the impact. »

A month after the accident, he felt “fed up with the hospital”. He faces loneliness, but knows he is supported by those close to him, “my friends from Restos du coeur, my three children”. Will Thierry be able to walk normally again one day? “I don’t really believe in it anymore… I ask the doctors the question, they prefer not to comment. But I’m a fighter, I’m not going to complain, I live. »

Jean-Jacques wants to remain optimistic. He is already planning towards a return to “normal” life. “I am an active person, I do lots of things and I have a lot of people around me. I will soon be moved to a rest home, I know I will have at least four months but that doesn’t scare me. » He recognizes that “everyone was very worried” when his loved ones found out about the accident. “Me first, obviously, but today I also see it as an opportunity. It wasn’t my day, I might walk with a cane, but that doesn’t matter, I plan to enjoy it for a while longer. »