From the Tennis Court to the Political Arena: The Inspiring Journey of Valentine Grandjean

From the tennis court to the political arena. Valentine Grandjean, 28, a disabled tennis player, announced on Wednesday that she will be a candidate on the European Engaged list led by Yvan Verougstraete, with a view to the June 9 elections.

A national level tennis player, it was during her studies as a social worker that doctors diagnosed her with cancer in her heel. She was only 21 years old at the time. Heavy treatments followed, ups and downs which will decide her to opt for amputation in 2019.

She returned to tennis only three months after this ordeal and joined Leg’s Go, a non-profit organization, of which she has been vice-president since 2021, which supports people with disabilities in practicing their sport. It has now been more than three years since Valentine Grandjean has participated in tennis tournaments and exhibitions again. She also took up running and has already completed a half marathon.

In 2020, his personal journey was the subject of a television report which affected Jean-Luc Crucke, then Walloon Minister (MR) in charge of Sports. The latter learns from a friend that Valentine Grandjean is unemployed. He contacts her and offers to join his firm. She will start working part-time because, physically, she could not do more. Before going full time.

Valentine Grandjean left the cabinet of Adrien Dolimont (MR), successor to Jean-Luc Crucke in the Walloon government, in July 2023. She is today manager of school projects within the French-speaking Handisport League.

When considering the preparation of the electoral lists, Jean-Luc Crucke, who moved from MR to Engagés in February 2022, whispered the name of the young woman to his party president, Maxime Prévot. He will obviously find the words to convince her to join the European Engaged list.

“Politics is a natural extension of my associative commitment, she explained on Wednesday. I wish to uphold the values ​​of inclusion, health and its prevention, sport for all and with all. […] My goal is to enable a more egalitarian way of living together.”

2024-01-18 20:53:00
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