STORIES TO SHARE ON THE MARATHON IN DEAUVILLE / Chapter 5: the incredible story of Stéphane, blind
His name is Stéphane DRION, he is 48 years old, visually impaired and more than 80% disabled.
He has a genetic disease, X-linked retinitis pigmentosa, which causes blindness.
Three and a half years ago, a friend, a marathon runner and ultra trainer, suggested he run.
It seemed inconceivable to him. And yet... after only eight weeks of training, on June 12, 2017, he became a half-marathoner in 1h52min!
His friend became his guide and coach. They went on to run the 36kms of "Entre 2 O", the 45kms of the Paris Eco trail and he became a marathoner in Caen in front of his family and friends. Other races followed. The trail requires more concentration because of the terrain: he can't see where he's going, everything is done by voice.
Stéphane FOUBERT, his friend, taught him how to train and run, and he taught him about illness and disability.
"Together, we are one".
On November 17, Stéphane will wear his 24th bib in Deauville!
"Despite the disability and the illness, sport is not inaccessible when you are accompanied.
Each training session and each race is for me a victory over the disease".
