Maddie, 62, is one of our best swimmers. She swims the lengths calmly, at her own pace, with impeccable technique. I’m jealous of his physical shape.
ILLUSTRATION ANDRÉ RIVEST, THE PRESS
But not about his situation.
Maddie is fun and great to talk to. So you have to linger to see a dysfunction in it. She has difficulty organizing herself and making the right decisions. She’s pulling the devil by the tail. She struggled to educate her children, maintain a job and meet her needs. She prefers to spend her meager income on getting a unicorn tattoo on her ankle rather than visiting the dentist.
ILLUSTRATION ANDRÉ RIVEST, THE PRESS
His candor makes him easy prey. Recently, she was evicted from her home, which left her temporarily homeless. After a period of stay in temporary shelters, charities finally found him a place to sleep. Aimed at older people, the environment isn’t perfect for her, but it’s definitely better than a park bench.
ILLUSTRATION ANDRÉ RIVEST, THE PRESS
As she is not severely disabled, Maddie was not entitled to comprehensive adapted services to improve her condition. Severely affected people are taken care of and we try to equip them as best as possible from childhood. Maddie is right on the edge. She suffers more from the consequences of ignorance and poverty than from cognitive disorders. Which means that his condition has never been a real priority. However, she is the one who uses emergency services the most. Yesterday’s savings are expensive today and have disastrous consequences.
If only she could be as in control in life as she is in the pool. Admirable Maddie.
ILLUSTRATION ANDRÉ RIVEST, THE PRESS
People of heart
Every athlete deserves a chapter. The kind Cindy – the mother of all the athletes –, Marilou, who always finds the water too cold… But we must pay tribute to all the wonderful volunteers who surround the club. Everyone brings their heart every week. None of this would be possible without Alain, the head coach for millennia. He is the only truly competent coach, we dare not think about what will happen when he is no longer there. This is often the case for activities for the disabled which often hang by a thread… or a dedicated trainer.