It was a cold and rainy day as one could expect towards the end of the year.
The whole morning, we had been on an inspection round, with under our arm a Xmas present which schoolchildren had prepared for you.
We were soaked and the gift’s packaging was a mess. But I’ll never forget your big smile when you saw us coming with the present.
It was a smile I had never seen before on your face. I’d almost say: of a big child.
First, we checked what care you needed. The wound didn’t look good, and treatment was painful. You squeezed your partner’s hand as tightly as you could.
Thankfully, you could always count on him…
Afterwards you literally threw yourself on the package to discover what it contained: sweets, chocolates, warm clothes, etc. And especially that pair of red velvet gloves.
You put them on straightaway, growling like a tigress - because you found them delightfully kitsch.
The laughs we had together! I’ll always remember that cheerful picture of you.
We then said goodbye, leaving you to discover the rest of your present.
I didn’t realize it then - but that meeting would be our last…
- Antoine, social worker.
(*) We do our utmost to respect the privacy of our patients and our professional secrecy. However, we want to testify to how they must survive and how we are working together to reintegrate them. As a result, the names of places and people are deliberately omitted or changed and real-life situations are placed in a different context. There is no direct link between the photos and the stories above.