Jonathan Bour is asking for an inclusion mobility card, mentioning parking. In his eyes, his disability justifies the issuance of this document which would provide him with relief on a daily basis. A position that the Departmental House for Disabled People (MDPH) does not share, for the moment.
By Jean-Michel Cavalli – 05:00 | updated at 2:13 p.m.
Star of social networks, distinguished motorcycle pilot, Jonathan Bour is a regular in the columns of Republican Lorraine. Having had an arm amputated following a traffic accident in Luxembourg on June 17, 2021, this resident of Garche negotiated this tragic turning point in his history in his own way. Without letting himself be defeated, without letting fatalism disturb his aspirations. His philosophy can be summarized as follows: Jonathan refuses nothing and, at the same time, refuses (almost) any form of help.
Doctors predicted the end of his romance with two-wheelers? The survivor is currently shining on the circuits of the French PMR Cup Moto championship. He also wants to break down the invisible wall that separates him from able-bodied riders: “I want to compete like everyone else, with everyone, and I will not let go of the French Motorcycle Federation on this point.” Was his friend circle inviting him to give up on his professional career? Failing to receive a comfortable disability allowance, he preferred to return to his position as… machine driver within the Luxembourg company Félix Giorgetti: “With the desire, you can do anything,” he chants.
The reasons for the refusal
“Has the fact that people see me a lot on video worked against me? I don’t know. Still, the only help I asked for was refused…” Jonathan is referring to obtaining an inclusion mobility card, mentioning parking. A simple formality in his eyes.
The Departmental House for Disabled People (MDPH) rejected it in a letter dated June 13. The refusal is motivated in these terms: “Your disability does not systematically lead to a significant and lasting reduction in your ability and your autonomy to travel on foot or does not require you to be accompanied by a third person or to resort to certain technical aids during all your trips outside. This reading of his disability appears reductive and contradictory to him with the “100%” recognition of his Long-Term Condition (ALD) by Health Insurance. “I am also recognized as a disabled worker and have been offered retraining. But I don’t need that! “, he laments.
“No, he doesn’t live normally, but he’s not going to shout it from the rooftops”
To justify the usefulness of this parking card, he refers in particular to a daily essential, which exhausts him: “Shopping at the supermarket. With one arm, and even when I equip myself with my prosthesis, it is not easy to grab the products. Unloading the groceries into a vehicle parked in a space reserved for disabled people would make me feel better. These seats are wider and therefore more adapted to my movements.” He continues, upset: “You can’t say that I’m a fan of taking privileges. The MDPH does not know the difference between help, support and assistance! “.
Determined to assert what he considers to be his right, Jonathan appealed this decision. In his efforts, he can count on the support of a volunteer from a helping association. The latter intends to reveal the true face of the person concerned in front of the members of the award commission: “We must differentiate between the image sent back by Jonathan, particularly on social networks, and what he really experiences. To know his real situation, I had to isolate myself, to look him in the eye. And no, he doesn’t live normally, but he’s not going to shout it from the rooftops.”
When contacted, the MDPH did not wish to comment on the merits of the case: “The information concerning Mr. Bour’s file is confidential.”
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