Valorization of the medico-social staff, "so that our thanks become visible"

Luc Gateau , president of Unapei (which brings together 550 associations, run by volunteers, parents and friends of disabled people), and parents, brothers, sisters and friends of Unapei; Lahcen Er Rajaoui , President of Nous aussi and all people with disabilities who are members of Nous aussi, and more than sixty personalities:

“Take care: the professionals who support people with disabilities did not stop doing so during the Covid-19 crisis. Forgotten and invisible, they must be considered in the same way as all the actors of care. We, parents, sisters, brothers, friends, carers, people with disabilities are on the front line to testify to the impact of the crisis on our daily lives. A daily life relieved by the support of these professionals. With the support of citizens in solidarity, we want to reiterate their unwavering commitment. We ask that our intimate daily thanks become visible and tangible.

During the weeks of confinement that our country has gone through, people, whatever their handicap, have more than ever needed the skills of professionals who are neither hospital nor health and who yet have the mission of accompanying and " to take care ". These are the so-called "medico-social" professionals. For thousands of children and adults with disabilities who are losing their bearings and worried, like others, about what is happening, these professionals have often been the only social link. For their loved ones too.

Beyond the current accompaniments, always necessary, they took care that their life did not tip over towards more difficulties and troubles, if not towards the disease. They thus made it possible, with professional conscience, to maintain the essential daily meetings for the persons concerned and their families. If it is regrettable that, during the period of confinement, there was little mention of their mobilization, it is now important to move the lines and change mentalities, so that they receive the just recognition that they hope if legitimately.

Also, we, people with disabilities, parents, sisters, brothers, friends, caregivers, we ask that the commitment of these professionals be recognized in the first instance by a premium in the same way as other care actors. This symbolic gesture recognizing their unparalleled efforts during this crisis should not even be debated. We especially ask for a global valuation of their trades, which will also involve a revaluation of their salaries to the height of their role in society.

Valuing the medico-social trades, showing gratitude, effectively, to those who help people every day to be active in their lives, is to demonstrate that "taking care" has, more than ever , a sense in our country and, even more, that it is an investment for the future.

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At a time when, for many people with disabilities and families, confinement has been and remains a test, let's not turn the page too quickly and think about how, together, to work for a more responsible and united society. "

The petitioners

Luc Gateau, president of Unapei and the parents, brothers, sisters and friends of Unapei; Lahcen Er Rajaoui, president of Nous aussi and all people with disabilities who are members of Nous aussi; Adda Abdelli, actor; Patrick Adler, actor; Albert Algoud, journalist; Jean-François Balmer, actor; Gregori Baquet, actor; Nadège Beausson-Diagne, actress; Frédérique Bedos, founder of NGOs; Leïla Bekti, actress; Marie-Paule Belle, singer; Christian Benedetti, actor; Claude Bergeaud, basketball coach; Jean-Yves Berteloot, actor; Michel Billé, sociologist; Jacques Bonnaffé, actor; Isabelle de Botton, actress; Caroline Boudet, journalist; Anne Bouvier, actress; Didier Brice, actor; Jean-Michel Carlo, administrator of UNICEF; Emilie Cazenave, actress; Jeanne Cherhal, singer; François Cluzet, actor; Philippe Croizon, athlete and columnist; Gérard Darmon, actor; Olivier Delacroix, TV host; Vincent Des Portes, professor of medicine; Alexis Desseaux, actor; Henri Duboc, research doctor; Hervé Dubourjal, actor; Anny Duperey, actress; Philippe Durance, sociologist; Elha, singer; Eglantine Emeyé, journalist-TV host; Jean-Louis Fournier, writer; Catherine Frot, actress; Jacques Gamblin, actor; Charles Gardou, anthropologist; Alexandre Jardin, writer; Jonathan Jérémiasz, co-founder of the Comme les Autres Association; Michaël Jérémiasz, co-founder of the Comme les Autres Association; Axel Kahn, professor of medicine; Valérie Karsenti, actress; Eric Laugérias, actor; Samuel Le Bihan, actor; David Le Breton, anthropologist; Olivier Lejeune, actor; Lionel Levy, starred chef; Marc Levy, writer; Sébastien Marsset, navigator; Régine Monti Tessier, sociologist; François Morel, actor; Olivier Nakache, director; Israel Nisand, professor of medicine; Erik Orsenna, writer; Eric Toledano, director; Olivier Rabourdin, actor; Jean-Michel Ribes, actor; Christophe Rossignon, film producer; Anne Roumanoff, humorist; Alain Sachs, actor; Laurent Savard, humorist; Benoit Soles, actor; Régis Sonnes, rugby coach; Barbara Stiegler, philosopher; Alice Zéniter, writer.