2023-10-13 04:30:02
If Parkinson’s disease rarely affects young people, Sarah Legrand is one of the exceptions. This former plastic arts teacher from Calais took refuge in Art to forget her illness. She even uses her symptoms and her sleepless nights to exacerbate her imagination.
On September 6, 2019, following a year of tremors, Sarah felt exhausted but relieved. At the age of 43, she received the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. “It may seem surprising, but once we got the word out regarding the symptoms it was a great liberation.” Sarah sighs. “MoiI already knew inside me that it was Parkinson’s disease, but no one believed me given my age!“
Sarah Legrand, 48, fights once morest Parkinson’s disease thanks to her art • © FTV F. Bellouti
In France, this neurodegenerative disease affects around 200,000 people and 25,000 new cases occur each year. (Ministry of Health figures) Contrary to popular belief, Parkinson’s disease is not a disease of the elderly since almost one in two patients is diagnosed at the age of 58 on average, that is to say still in old age. to carry out an activity. Only 17% of patients are under 50 years old.
“I had tremors all over my body, my legs, my feet, it was going completely crazy. They say that when the tremors arrive the illness has already been there for 10 ans” confides Sarah in a documentary directed by Loredane Binet.
The treatment that she will then begin will cause disturbances, but also increase her capacities tenfold, thus giving rise to his artist name: Sarathoustra.
For her, a few drops of ink are enough to open the doors of the imagination and the art of decals is part of her therapy.
Every night, or almost, a creative process comes to life: “QWhen we have Parkinson’s, we will have hallucinations and then also a lot of nightmares at night and the disease gives me visions” Sarah explains. “HAS From my little ink spots, I will draw what I see. There’s a big face.” Adding color to the drawing paper is a good way to combat the darkness of the disease.
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PORTRAIT. Sarah Legrand, 48, fights Parkinson’s disease thanks to her art • ©FTV
Living with Parkinson’s disease means permanent body pain and cognitive impairment and drawing sometimes becomes difficult. “When It’s too detailed, it’s hard.”
So collage also allows the body to find serenity. “To beI took my treatment, dopamines to be able to manage, to concentrate, not to shake. I arrive there ! I often tremble when I’m resting, when I’m not doing anything.” smiled Sarah. “Il there are Parkinsonians who do challenges on bikes or who run, because you always have to be in action. Otherwise, this is how we make crises.”
Today, Sarah takes a lot of medication. She hopes to be able to benefit from deep neurological stimulation, a major operation. She also decided to write regarding the disease, to help other people diagnosed young.
She will exhibit her work this weekend of October 14 and 15 at the Salle du Minck in Calais and from October 19 at Bon vent, 23 rue de la pomme d’or, still in Calais.
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