Par Gael Arcuset
Published on
“I want to show that it is possible. That diabetes is not an obstacle to the realization of ambitious projects. From the height of his 19 springs, Youenn Rollin knows what he wants. The young man, type 1 diabetic since the age of twelve, is preparing for a great adventure.
This summer, this resident of Bazas (Gironde) will travel across Europe by train. Departure scheduled for 1is next August. Brussels, Amsterdam, Paderborn, Copenhagen, Malmö, Prague, Zagreb, Lausanne, Barcelona are some of its destinations. “All train tickets are reserved, smiles the South-Girondin. Everything is timed. Because I have to be in La Rochelle between August 28 and 29, just before I start university. »
“Finding myself in front of myself, I like it”
This journey is above all a great challenge for Youenn, who has lived with diabetes since adolescence. Sensors to control blood sugar, insulin…
“With me, I bring everything you need,” said the Bazadais. Who still remembers very well the day when the disease was discovered.
In the middle of football training, I had a stomach ache. I couldn’t move, I just wanted to sleep… And I had the worst night of my life.
Over the years, Youenn made his diabetes a strength. “It helped me,” he says. Without diabetes, I wouldn’t be the man I am today. In the end, I lived well with my diabetes. But you have to be honest, when you’re younger and you have to get your injections in the canteen, it’s more complicated…
An accomplished sportsman, Youenn is a member of the US Bazas Athlétisme. And once he puts on his shoes, his shorts and his blue jersey, nothing stops our apprentice adventurer. Who loves to gallop and who achieves remarkable times. “Two years ago, I started running again and it helps my balance,” he explains. It’s amazing the effects it can have on blood sugar. »
Certainly, his journey, he will not do it on foot. But this represents, despite everything, a large expenditure of energy. And, faced with the challenge that awaits him, the interested party wants to settle everything down to the smallest detail.
I’ve been preparing all this for months, My goal is really to use as little money as possible. I have always loved travel. And doing one on my own was one of my dreams.
Maybe it’s all in the genes… Because at the age of 16, his father had the somewhat absurd idea of hitchhiking across France. “I like the idea of coming face to face with yourself,” he says, with a big smile. When I broke the news to my friends, they thought it was great. »
In total immersion
Because beyond visiting those which are among the most beautiful cities of the Old Continent, Youenn Rollin intends to discover the local populations.
An immersion that he wishes to be complete. Closer to local people, despite the language barrier. “I’ll manage, he laughs. I want to totally immerse myself, sleep with the locals. In English, even though I don’t have an amazing accent, I manage. For Spanish, we’ll see… If I have to go door to door, because I need something, I’ll go door to door. This is not a problem ! »
Some apprehensions…
But this motivation and this overflowing desire hide some apprehensions… An example? “In Sweden, embraces Youenn, I know that the signs are not in English, just in Swedish. So, it will be necessary to find one’s bearings and get on the right train so that I don’t end up in the wrong country. »
Now, Youenn Rollin is counting the days that separate him from the big departure. “I can’t wait to get on the first train to Brussels. » The countdown begins. Have a good trip !
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