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VIDEO. With Yannis, 17, in adapted rugby training
Brut followed Yannis during his last adapted rugby match. Organized by the Christo Rugby Adapté association, this practice offers young people in EMI the opportunity to gain autonomy. – (Raw.)
Brut followed Yannis during his last adapted rugby match. Organized by the Christo Rugby Adapté association, this practice offers young people in EMI the opportunity to gain autonomy.
Today is the last adapted rugby match for Yannis, 17 years old. He soon left the Medical-Educational Institute (IME) located in Saint-Martin-du-Tertre, in Val-d’Oise, to begin his CAP. Thanks to the Christo Rugby Adapté association, the young man was able to practice rugby adapted to his needs for three years. Indeed, the IME supports young people diagnosed with intellectual disabilities or ASD, autism spectrum disorder. Rugby allows Yannis to relax when he is “a little angry”.
“Among intellectually and mentally deficient people, contact is something new”
“The primary goal is to allow them, thanks to this sport, to integrate a social life a little more easily.” explains Jean-Pierre Casassus, technical manager of the Christo Rugby Adapté association, before adding: “Among intellectually and mentally deficient people, contact is something new. And after a few years (of practicing sport), we can see that even autistic people begin to accept contact again. It’s pure happiness”. In some time, Yannis will start his CAP with the aim of working in a canteen. Thanks to the IME, he will have learned to “respect others, their disability, to read, write and have confidence in (him)”. If he is a little sad to leave, new great adventures await him.