My name is Arthur Bauchet. I'm 21 years old and I live in Serre Chevalier Briançon, but I am originally from Grimaud, in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. I am a French Paralympic skier.

For about ten years, I have been fighting against a

disease affecting my lower limbs. This

disease is called spastic paraparesis

hereditary.

 

My journey begins far from the ski slopes, in the

south of France, where I grew up. After my first

not on skis at the age of 5 during vacations, I

fell in love when I was 7 years old. My parents

will take me every weekend to ski in Serre Chevalier in the years that follow, first for fun, then to join the world of city competition.

 

At the age of 10, things get complicated; the first symptoms of my illness appear. Despite everything, I continue the competitions, but it is more and more difficult; My state of health was deteriorating, I had to regularly call on my father to carry me to the end of races, and I left skis more and more often for crutches.

 

At the age of 14, things get worse; symptoms worsen. No longer able to walk and very difficult to sit down, I was forced to drop out of school. So I'm finishing my 3rd year with the CNED. With increasingly strong pain, my mother decided to take me to the emergency room of La Timone (Marseille).

 

I am immediately supported by the service of Professor Chabrol. After numerous examinations, and long months of waiting, the diagnosis is made. So I learn that I have a spinal cord injury, which causes a failure of the nervous system, from the pelvis to the toes, leading (among other things) to involuntary tremors, regular and painful cramps, stiffness, balance disorder and of course, a virtual impossibility to ski...

In 2015, a heavy and restrictive treatment allowed me to walk again (very often with the help of my crutches) and above all to ski again. Step by step, I learned to combine daily life and medical treatment, even if it is far from easy.

 

My career in handiskiing began when I moved to Briançon with my mother, where I was educated at the Lycée d'altitude. My sports teacher then put me in contact with the French Handisport Federation. I first joined the young group in 2016, with the aim of the Paralympic Games in Beijing 2022. I then obtained my international classification (LW3) and then began this adventure.

Following my results, I am selected for the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Games.

Skiing is an essential way for me to fight against my disease, mentally. In addition, the ski boots allow me to keep my foot in a stretched position, which is beneficial to me.

I am now a member of the CSHB (Club de Ski de Briançon), with whom I train when I am not in the French team.

 

Before finishing this Letter, I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart all the people who supported me (and who continue). This support is essential to me, and it is a driving force in my success.

I would like to especially thank all the medical staff, all my coaches, all my physical trainers, all my physiotherapists, and all the other people who allow me to continue this great adventure.

 

For the final word, as one of my Doctors once said:

“Arthur is not made for walking, but for skiing”.

 

Arthur Bauchet.