“There was a movement of solidarity that I didn’t know about, it did me good, thank you to everyone. » Even deprived of speech by illness, Hubert Hermenier, helped by his son, managed to express the immense emotion which gripped him when he returned to his house in Morsang-sur-Seine (Essonne), on Thursday September 7. For the big reunion, his friends were present to celebrate his return, after two years spent in different hospitals. On July 4, 2021, Hubert contracted a brain stem thrombosis, a rare form of stroke. Suffering from “Locked-in Syndrome” (LIS), he discovered when he woke up that he was quadriplegic and mute. Hubert, however, retains his vital functions and all of his intellectual faculties.
Aline, his wife, and Paul, his son, are struggling to put in place work in their house to allow his arrival. “My mother and I always said that we would do everything possible to get him home, even if it meant overcoming all the mountains. » For Aline, it’s “obvious, it was his will, he always did everything for me, and there was no question that I wouldn’t do it for him. » In order to carry out this large-scale work, friends of Hubert, his family and people from the community of Morsang-sur-Seine meet every Saturday to allow his return.
“Impossible not to be there”
“We’ve known Hubert for about seventeen years since we arrived here. » says “Bambi”, a resident of the village of Morsang-sur-Seine, but above all “a very good friend” of Hubert. “For me, it was a lot of the electricity part. » he explains before emphasizing the solidarity of the volunteers. “Friends from everywhere, who really liked Hubert, Lele (Aline) and Paul obviously. We made time for our friends, it’s quite simple.”
Time, precious for the family, given generously by everyone who participated in the work. “Hubert, I’ve known him for around fifteen years, through football. Afterwards, during the work, it’s impossible not to be there,” explains François. “Many came but not necessarily all are DIYers, I was often there to support the non-DIYers. Everyone participated, there is not one who deserves more than the others. This is what needs to be highlighted.”
Four and a half months of work, 45 people came to participate
Work began in early April 2023 and lasted until the end of summer. Three rooms in their house are affected. A guest room is transformed into a suitable bedroom for Hubert, a specific bathroom is set up, and a living room is created for the carers coming to take care of Hubert.
The mayor of Morsang-sur-Seine, Olivier Perrin, helps carry out the work, whether to approach companies coming to do the major work, or to get involved as a volunteer. “On the budget envelope, we are around 100,000 euros. The purchase of materials for a cost of approximately 6,000 to 7,000 euros, a value of approximately 50,000 euros was carried out by the volunteers. Then, the companies took care of all the structural work, to the tune of 45,000 euros. » explains Olivier Perrin.
The association Alis supported the family a lot, by helping to finance the work. But also as moral support or by advising them on administrative procedures.
“I will never forget the gesture they did for us”
Every Saturday for four and a half months, family friends and members of the Morsang-sur-Seine community participate in the work. At 9:30 a.m. the volunteers arrive, bringing with them a contagious good mood. Once the coffees are ordered, the construction site comes to life. Do-it-yourselfers, amateurs or professionals, get organized: board cutting, false ceilings, insulation, all work that can be done by human means and “small hands” is carried out.
It’s just a day, an afternoon, or a few hours that volunteers give each week. But being present adds comfort to the family. “I thank them from the bottom of my heart, without them, it would not have been possible. I will never forget the gesture they did for us. ” thanks Paul, before letting Aline continue: “I’m impressed by this love, that’s for sure. They did everything, they were always there, they always supported us. It’s wonderful this human chain that has been created around us. » The WhatsApp group called “Hubert Go Home” will never have lived up to its name so well, because it is finally there, in his house.