Cugnaux (France) (AFP)

A father descended Wednesday from a crane at the top of which he was demonstrating near Toulouse, after having obtained the placement of his disabled son in a specialized center in the neighboring department of Gers, noted an AFP correspondent.

"Unfortunately, we have to get there to be successful," said Olivier Gutierrez, 57, descending from the crane on which he had climbed a few hours earlier on a construction site in Cugnaux, about fifteen kilometers to the south. From toulouse.

According to Chantal Gutierrez, their 24-year-old son Axel, who suffers from Prader-Willi syndrome - particularly characterized by a decrease in muscle tone and mental deficiency - should soon be able to join a specialized center in Gers who is familiar with this rare genetic disease.

Two years ago, during "(of) an emergency meeting at the Departmental Center for Handicapped Persons (MDPH) in Haute-Garonne" the parents learned that their son Axel could not go to this establishment because they lived in Haute-Garonne, said the mother of the family.

The parents of the young man then bought a house in the Gers before being told, last July, "that it was enough to ask the agreement of the department of Haute-Garonne", added Ms. Gutierrez.

Then Tuesday, "we received a letter from the MDPH saying that everything had to be started from zero," said the mother, explaining that this new turnaround had pushed her husband to this desperate gesture.

On the side of the department, we said we were "very happy that Axel can have this place" thanks to the release of an additional place by the Regional Health Agency (ARS), reacted Alain Gabrieli, vice-president of the Haute-Garonne Departmental Council in charge of disabled people.

According to the elected official, there would be "more than 200 (families) on the waiting list", estimating "that more places are needed in establishments" which the Department claims from the State, he said. underline.

© 2021 AFP