Prête-moi tes ailes - Lyon

 

Founded in 2019 in the Rhône region by Clotilde Jenoudet-Henrion, Prête-moi tes ailes was created out of the desire to address an alarming reality: the isolation of families affected by cognitive disabilities, particularly Down Syndrome (DS). Clotilde, the mother of Baptiste, a young boy with DS, faced years of challenges marked by uncertainty, a lack of support, and a profound sense of loneliness. Her personal experience led her to create this organization to help other families in similar situations.

Down Syndrome: A Challenge for Support and Integration

Down Syndrome, the leading cause of genetic intellectual disability in France, faces unique challenges in terms of support. Unlike other disabilities, it does not benefit from a specific integration plan. The prenatal diagnosis, often leading to recommendations for pregnancy termination, contributes to this lack of recognition. As a result, families are often left helpless, searching for resources and solutions.

One of the biggest challenges remains the schooling of children with DS. In the absence of suitable structures, these children are often left behind, deprived of an education that meets their needs. This leads to increased isolation and a sense of stigmatization for both the parents and children.

The Endowment Fund Project: A Dedicated Educational Support Space

In response to this situation, Prête-moi tes ailes is launching an ambitious project: the opening of a dedicated educational support space within its future community center, Respire!, which is currently under development. The goal is to provide children with DS with year-round, personalized support, enabling them to maintain fundamental academic learning, foster social connections, and give parents a moment of respite.

Activities Offered for Children with DS:

·       Personalized Educational Support: Support sessions are provided for children who are minimally or not at all integrated into school, with the help of a specialized teacher and trained volunteers.

·       Learning Workshops: Workshops focusing on reading, writing, and numeracy are organized to develop basic skills.

·       Sensory and Social Activities: These activities aim to enhance children's social and emotional skills, helping them better understand and manage their emotions.

The goal is to implement individualized teaching methods tailored to each child’s specific needs. By strengthening communication and language skills, which are often difficult for these children, the organization aims to guide them toward autonomy. The ultimate goal is to enable these children to grow into independent adults who can build strong social connections and fully integrate into society.

A Project Offering Respite for Parents

In parallel, the association seeks to provide real support for parents. By offering them the opportunity to entrust their children to a safe and adapted environment, it allows them to take a break and regain the peace of mind needed to balance family, professional, and personal life. This space offers families a much-needed breath of fresh air, while actively working toward the inclusion of children with DS.

The Prête-moi tes ailes project thus stands as a key player in the fight against the isolation of families and the exclusion of children with Down Syndrome, while contributing to improving their quality of life.