The Perce Neige House in Cuges-les-Pins will celebrate a double anniversary on October 16th: the 60th anniversary of the Perce Neige foundation and the 16th anniversary of the local establishment. This facility specializes in supporting adults with autism spectrum disorders.
« This initiative is all the more necessary as autism and disability remain too little known and are, therefore, subject to misconceptions, » believes Laëtitia Louis, deputy mayor particularly in charge of Disability.
Under the direction of Nadia Petit, this medically supervised residence has 32 permanent residents and 3 adults in day care. The average age is 36, and the vast majority have been present since the establishment opened. Through various activities and individualized support, they have developed numerous skills promoting their autonomy, enabling them to participate in the life of the commune and strengthen their social inclusion. They take part in events like the Saint Eloi parade, the Christmas market, and the Day of Wind and Kites. They also frequent the dojo, the media library, and local shops, such as the Bar des Sports where some are regulars. A group even cleans the surroundings of the House weekly, on chemin Notre-Dame.
« It is important for the population to learn more about autism, which is part of neurodevelopmental disorders, manifesting as communication difficulties from early childhood, » emphasizes Nadia Petit. With her team, she organized an awareness session on disability for CM2 students last April, as well as a solidarity walk with the help of the club Cuges Rando Loisirs.
In the same spirit, Laëtitia Louis plans to organize a forum dedicated to disability in general in October 2027, with the ultimate goal of enabling residents « to be fully recognized as full citizens of Cuges-les-Pins. »
