Handi Cap Evasion
“Handi Cap Evasion” is a non-profit-making French organization, conforming to the 1901 law. It was funded by Joël Claudel in 1988. Since then its only aim has been to allow disabled people and the able-bodied to share the same pleasures out in the wilds and in the mountain both in France and abroad.
If you want to know more about the association or become a member of it or help us financially, please visit the website http://www.hce.asso.fr/ or contact the headquarters of the association.
Handi Cap EvasionChemin de la Creuzette
69270 Fontaines-sur-Saône
France
Phone / Fax: +33 4 78 22 71 02
Email:mailto:hce@free.fr
In Norway, the joëlette can be purchased by contacting:
Sitski Norway
Imerslund veien 45
2323 IngerbergNorway
Phone : +47 97 11 18 80
Email: mailto:olemorten@sitski.no
Website: http://www.sitski.no/
A little bit of history
Back from a chaotic trip with an electric wheelchair on a former mining railroad, Joël Claudel, a mountain guide, invented a new means of transport for his nephew Stéphane, who was a myopathy patient. This new device contained only a single wheel and was thus able to go everywhere.
Stéphane said: “Just like many people, I want to live intensely, whether it is in my head or with the physical abilities that are left to me. And I can’t refrain from casting a pitying look on all those who do nothing of their existence, due to the lack of interest, idea or mere apathy. However difficult is the life of a handicapped person, it can be strangely fulfilling and I’ve always wanted to fulfil my dreams. When I look at a mountain top, I always want to go and see what there is behind. "
That is the reason why Joël invented its funny joëlette: a seat on a wheel which allows those who do not walk any more or with difficulty, to be shaken on all the paths. The enjoyment of sunburns, mosquitoes and rough and ready camps is theirs now. Theirs too, the little flowers on both sides of any path, the setting sun, radiant mornings, and strolls with friends.
Stays
Stays are supervised by a state graduated professional guide. A bursar takes care of the accommodation and the food. Most stays last seven days, and you either go hiking around a fixed camp or on a marked out circuit. Three valid guides are planned for every Joëlette and in each group there are from 15 to 20 hikers. There is always a donkey to help the group carry what is needed. When discovering the other one is at stake, strong moments of sharing are guaranteed, which often end up in friendship. Learning that being handicapped is especially in the mind of those who do not dare is one of the lessons from Handi Cap Evasion which thus plays a major part in the integration of the handicapped person.
Local groups
In order to get to know joëlettes throughout the year, the local groups organize outings usually once a month on Sundays. Every local group has its own schedule but the common point is that all the hikes by them allow you to discover your own region and of course, they enable enriching exchanges for all the participants.
Who can participate
Guides
If you are sporty, if you love nature and hiking, and if moreover you are sociable, then you will have no problem finding your place in a group. “Driving” a joëlette asks for quite a lot of energy, especially in the mountains, but with experience it becomes easier. During the stays, the guides also participate in various material tasks, in the animation of evenings and in the help to the disabled persons every time it is necessary (meal, dressing, going to the toilet}.
So a minimum of three guides is needed for a handicapped person, knowing that there are usually four joëlettes in a group.
Disabled persons
The activity is open to every private person unable to hike but with no medical contraindication. The people who are considered in reduced autonomy can also participate by walking with a guide. You only have to like nature and be ready to accept conditions sometimes a little rough in campsites, in bivouac or in mountain refuges. You also have to like sharing and being part of a group in order to discover with the others, the fauna, and the flora, while reaching summits where you surpass yourselves recharge your batteries and. get fresh ideas.
