An archer draws his bow against a metal stand at the foot of the Invalides in Paris. Europe 1 reported this Tuesday on the Bleuet de France foundation.
Michael, a former soldier paralyzed on his left side following a skydiving accident in Gabon, trains under the guidance of instructor Stéphane Le Friec. He competes from his wheelchair using an apparatus hooked to a support frame.
“It reminds me of shooting weapons in the army, even though there’s still that problem of having one arm less than before,” Michael told Europe 1.
The Bleuet de France foundation marks a century of supporting bereaved families, terrorism victims, and wounded soldiers. For veterans recovering from combat and service injuries, sports sessions provide a vital path forward.
“It’s important for me to come and participate in this kind of activity,” Michael said, adding that he feels happy after leaving each session.
Chief Warrant Officer Stéphane Le Friec oversees the training sessions at the historic Paris venue.
“Almost every minute we take life lessons,” Le Friec said. “These are people who fight just to get up in the morning. So, having them come here, having them practice a sport, an activity, is magical for us.”
Equipment at the shooting range, including specialized shooting platforms and wheelchair-accessible ramps, receives financial backing from the Bleuet de France organization. The charity also funds dedicated sports recovery camps for military personnel and war orphans known as wards of the nation.
“Bleuet helps us enormously in many areas,” said Fabrice Erdinger, director of the sports circle at the Institution Nationale des Invalides. “We are really very proud to wear it because it represents enormous values.”
