Sports

Unforgettable adventure with Dunes of Hope aboard a Joelette for disabled

Handi Marathon of 10 km


Departure of Marathon Viroflay (Source: Rahma Sophia Rachdi)
Dismantled Joelette
(Source: Rahma Sophia Rachdi)
USPA NEWS - I had a new experience. This is the kind of new adventure that one displays the trophy on the desk "That's it I did! And I got the T shirt " of "Dunes d'Espoir". I got there and got the did it Shirt ". So I did it, I never imagined that I could make a marathon, being disabled in a wheel chair. "
Gaetan at Caisse Depot celeration
Source: Rahma Sophia Rachdi
HOW I DISCOVERED THE JOELETTE -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Because I had the chance to make a beautiful encounter by meeting, by chance, Christian Dujardin who spontaneously offers me to try the "Joëlette". It was on the occasion of the presentation of this half bike, half armchairs rolling. We met at the bicentenary of the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations, the Grand Palais.-------------------------------------------------------------- See article :PRESIDENT HOLLANDE CELEBRATES 200 YEARS OF CAISSE DES DEPOTS SINCE NAPOLEON OLDEST FRENCH BANK CREATED IN 1816 - See more at: http://www.uspa24.com/bericht-7000/president-hollande-celebrates-200-years-of-caisse-des-depots-since-napoleon.html#sthash.slgOrevQ.dpuf----------------------------------------------- Christian defies the odds and showcase the " Joelette" with young Gaetan, who is shares his experience in front of the ministers in the front row, and the large audience who came to applaud the President of the Republic, François Hollande and members of the CDC, to celebrate the 200 years of this old French bank lady, wanted by Napoleon ...----------------------------- Emmanuel Macron had a short conversation with Gaetan, youngster of 17, and promised him to come and run with him aboard a “Joelette".------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Not sure the Economy Minister will find time enough to spare in such an adventure, considering his tight agenda ! The meeting was arranged for February 7, and Christian connecting me to Pascal Galois, who handled my registration, and validating this future race. He tells me to provide a certificate of non-cons and prepare. I just needed to provide medical certificate, mentioning " Able to run aboard a Joelette". My doctor Dr. Solomon Hayoun is stunned because he does not know what is a Joelette!
Christian Dujardin & Gaetan
Source: Rahma Sophia Rachdi
E Macron Caisse Des Depots
Source: Rahma Sophia Rachdi
Gaetan Caisse Des Depots
Source: Rahma Sophia Rachdi
Team Joelette Run
Source: Rahma Sophia Rachdi
SUPER FEELINGS DURING THE RACE ABOARD A JOELETTE ALWAYS CONTROLLED---------------------------------- To go to the forest, or will start the marathon, the crew takes me in charge already and supported with great enthusiasm, songs, and it starts with a very steep slope in full mud, and along a path dotted with wooden branches ...------------------------- The originality of this exercise, is that the runners ("G-O-Joelette"), are actually running, and handling the "Joelette" at the same time. They don´t think of winning their own race, they are totally devoted to the disabled abord the "Joelette". It starts strong and I go very fast and realize the effectiveness of the group of "G-O-Joelette" pushing, pulling, take turns and above already communicate a lot with each other to avoid obstacles and anticipate the slopes and holes ahead. In short no time, I feel, no fear, no fear I am confident with my G-O Joelette, which coordinate all this with maestro. They are very fast and manage to keep a caring human chain around the sport "Joëlette" and allowed me to feel descents in the forest, trigering my own adrenaline while they struggle without any show off, running on their side. At no time the "Joelette" never stops, nor fall, because the relay of a carrier for the other run-man occurs naturally in the flexible and fluid motion. They are all in rythm like if they are a whole in unity.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- One could almost believe that it may not ensure the relay, from one hand to another, but in fact if is running so fast and it is so cool ! I was both touched and moved, as these efforts are multiplied for a classic racer and throughout a race, and never lose their goal that "The person must Joëlette have fun trustfully and enjoy it. " That was true thanks to this sport of solidarity. Well congratulations for that, because the challenge is the height of my own expectations. Show runners devote themselves so generously in the effort and enthusiastic In addition ... forest respect and admiration.------------------------------------------------- Reaching the Arrival, Arrived late in the race, the runners "G-O-Joelette" raise me symbolically and do not unleash walking held by two of them, and finally to be lifted up by Christian who carried me from the Joelette to his arms. They give me a trophy, to my bib pocket and my little cutting gagneuse. I was embarrassed by this award, as I did not feel having really ran, and I wanted to give it back to the real winners as was the crew of the Dunes Hopes. It is they who were my heroes of the "race in the Joelette", so I paraphrase their HIP HIP HIP HOOA! BRAVO using their same motto that I'll never forget.
Assembling the Joelette
Source: Rahma Sophia Rachdi
Rahma Sophia & Team
Source: Rahma Sophia Rachdi
Joelette
Source: Courtesy Dune of Hope
Grand Canyon
Source: Courtesy Grand Canyon Grand
NEXT STEP IS TO RUN THE GRAND CANYON---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Christian Dujardin who happens to be a chef in cuisine, and dedicate most of his time passionate about, is to ebbe disabled youngsters and even adults, who are disabled, in making races aboard “The Joelette“.------------------------------------------------ “There is a dream that we would like to achieve, and to generalize for people with disabilities by offering them a thrill race Joelette. This dream is the "AMERICAN DREAM", that of making the "Grand Grand" Grand Canyon, on 6 day race with 273 km (170 miles) (25th September-1st October 2016).----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We would be happy to live this adventure, with a team of 9 riders and two accompanying a person with reduced mobility for the project. It would also be nice to do an exchange with a disabled person for American to race in the "Joëlette" and to share our passion and why not create an antenna Dunes in the USA. We would also welcome in France, a Franco-American running in the other direction ... Everything is possible today ... Sponsors are welcome to allow volunteers to "Dunes Of Hope" "Dunes D'Espoir" and the disabled to be carried away to the Grand Canyon in the USA.“ Explains Christian Dujardin.--------- See more at http://www.dunespoir.com
Climbing Joelette Team
Source: Rahma Sophia Rachdi
Climbing Joelette Team
Source: Rahma Sophia Rachdi
Running Joelette Team
Source: Rahma Sophia Rachdi
Run Team Joelette
Source: Rahma Sophia Rachdi
Climbing Joelette Team
Source: Rahma Sophia Rachdi
Climbing Joelette Team
Source: Rahma Sophia Rachdi

more information: https://I am correspondent based in France, registered and empowered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I am wheelchair bound, and work on my own, without any assistant, nor photographer, working under my name. The law punishes the identity theft.

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