Why the father of an autistic child will walk 24 hours non-stop in the streets of Montluçon (Allier)

Christophe Baumann will set off this Friday, March 3 afternoon for a 24-hour walk, without interruption, in the city center of Montluçon, in the Allier. This father of an autistic child wants to take up this challenge to highlight the situation of people with this disease and the difficulties they face.

It is a major challenge that Christophe Baumann, founder with his wife of the association ” Jules and company “. Jules is her 11-year-old autistic son. This association supports people with autism or pervasive developmental disorders. This Friday, March 3, this inhabitant of Allier will walk for 24 hours non-stop in the streets of Montluçon. The goal: to raise public authorities’ and citizens’ awareness of these diseases. Christophe Baumann, father of Jules, who has autism, explains: “ The fact of having a child or of being in a situation of handicap does not make us people who ask for charity but quite simply equity. I want my son to have the same equity as another child ».

This year, the association is sponsored by the city’s gendarmerie school: 120 student-gendarmes and 4 instructors will be at its side at the start of this challenge, in front of the prefecture and throughout the march. Captain François Covin, commander of the 11th instruction company of the Montluçon gendarmerie school, underlines: “ When we heard about the story of little Jules and his association set up by his dad and his mom, we were touched by the life of this little boy. He does not have the same life as all the young boys of his age. We wanted to participate in their association by supporting them as best as possible. “. The Bourbonnais who wish can join them. A stand of the association will also be present on the market in the town center on Saturday 4 March. Christophe Baumann will start his challenge this Friday at 5 p.m.