“Our commitment is swept aside.” Volunteer at the Smile GatewayMarie-Agnès Durand cannot bring herself to see the inevitable end that is looming. After “twenty-four years” of good and loyal service, this associative structure managed by Adapei and located in the town of Meyzieu, near Lyon, must close its doors on December 31. The decision was announced on September 11. Problem: twice a week it welcomes children aged 3 to 12 suffering from very serious disabilities and having no place in the EMI (medical-educational institute). Among which is little Kahil, whose 20 Minutes told you the story recently.
“These are children who have very great cognitive difficulties. Some hardly communicate at all. Others are not mobile either,” explains Marie-Agnès. And added: “In society, they are left behind, just like their parents who are very often helpless in the face of a lack of support.” La Passerelle, which functions as a “daycare”, is above all “a place of respite for these admirable parents”. Here, we take care of children as if they were at home. At work, two specialist educators are supported by three volunteers for each half-day.
“A breath of oxygen”
“This place is a breath of fresh air,” attests Leïla Chaoui, the mother of Nour, 6, whom she drops off every Monday and “sometimes on Wednesday”. “I love my daughter more than anything. She is my ray of sunshine even if it is difficult to take care of her all day. This requires a lot of energy. We have no moment of respite. Nour calls for increased and permanent surveillance. It’s 24 hours a day.”
“Today, the State does nothing for us. He closes EMIs, has completely disengaged”, regrets the mother, who had to leave her job to take care of her daughter: “They talk about inclusion at school to relieve their guilt, that’s all . » Because Nour is well educated, “16 hours a week”. But “school is not suitable” for her who can “neither read, nor write, nor count, nor distinguish colors”. She was refused the canteen due to a lack of staff “available to supervise her” during the lunch break. Some days, the companion who assists him in class is absent. In these cases, the family finds itself with its mouth in the water.
A petition to reopen the structure
“My daughter, this is the fight of my life and the most beautiful fight. We have to fight every day for her,” continues Leïla, who does not understand the reasons for the closure of the Passerelle du smile. The PMI – maternal and child protection – withdrew its approval because the structure supports children who are mostly over 6 years old, so that it does not fall within its scope of intervention. “To date, no authority wants to take responsibility for a reopening, starting with the Regional Health Agency,” denounces Marie-Agnès.
“However, it’s a good place for Nour,” says Leïla. The volunteers are wonderful. They are a great support to us, bringing kindness, love and patience to the children. Every time Nour evolves, it fills us with happiness.” But not only that. “Selfishly, I can have a few hours to myself,” underlines the combative mother, explaining that she takes advantage of this break to go to a medical appointment, spend time with her husband, “go out with the grown-ups”, their 12-year-old twins. . “During school holidays, for example, you can take them to the museum or the cinema. They love their little sister but sometimes they too need calm.”
A petition has been launched to request the reopening of the premises.