Cheverny Castle is committed to raising awareness of type 1 diabetes.
Charles-Antoine and Constance de Vibraye, owners of the Château de Cheverny, are particularly sensitive to this cause due to their personal history: their three children have had type 1 diabetes since they were very young.
"We have three children, three children with type 1 diabetes. We ourselves do not have diabetes. The doctors are adamant: genetics are a factor, but they are not enough to explain these three cases. They are certain that the cause is environmental. Our commitment to diabetes stems from our personal experience with our children. We believe that teenagers in particular feel more at ease when they are able to talk about their condition with their family and friends. We are fighting against the discrimination imposed on diabetics by obsolete laws, such as obtaining a permanent driving licence (rather than one that must be renewed every five years at your own expense, as is currently the case), the granting of systematic extra time for state exams and competitions, the change in the status of professions "prohibited" to diabetics, the granting of an extra suitcase offered by airlines, dedicated to medicines, etc." Charles-Antoine and Constance de Vibraye.
Two charity evenings at the Château de Cheverny.
Two gala evenings were held at the château in 2017 and 2018. The most recent event brought together many prominent figures, including Yves Duteil, Alain Souchon, Ours, Thierry Lhermitte, Véronique de Villèle, Jean-Claude Narcy, Bertrand Burgalat, and Alizée Augier, a type 1 diabetic and world karate champion.
It raised €42,200 for the Jacques Tacussel Foundation to set up a public awareness campaign on the early signs of the disease, to prevent children from arriving at hospital too late.
Every November, the castle is illuminated in blue.
This initiative raises awareness among visitors and journalists ahead of World Diabetes Day on 14 November.
What are the symptoms of type I diabetes?
• The need to urinate becomes very frequent, both day and night, combined with a feeling of intense thirst;
• Weight loss, despite increased appetite;
• A persistent feeling of tiredness;
• Occasional vision problems.
Subsequently, other symptoms may appear, such as vomiting, nausea, or drowsiness.
The castle hosts various awareness-raising initiatives.
The estate regularly hosts initiatives to raise public awareness of the symptoms of the disease. Recently, Ana Waalder and Mikhaël Allouche, authors of the comic book "Escroqueuse - Quand l'hypo frappe" (Swindler - When Hypo Strikes), were invited to exhibit in the Trophy Room. It is an autobiographical story about the life of a little girl who is diagnosed with diabetes and her close family and friends. It depicts childhood grappling with family anxiety, dietary restrictions and the formation of identity... But it is also a romantic adventure brought to life in this book.
Browse the first few pages: discover the comic