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After a relapse of his knee cancer, Matthieu Lartot had his right leg amputated last June. Equipped since with a prosthesis, he denounces the very high price of this type of medical equipment, to which not everyone has access.
It’s back to school and Matthieu Lartot is back on the small screen, as he had wished after his amputation. This rugby enthusiast will return to the air on September 10 to comment on the Rugby World Cup. But his return is also an opportunity to denounce the price of prostheses or the accessibility of cities in France, for people with disabilities.
The sports journalist protests against “an immense injustice”
Interviewed by Konbini, Matthieu Lartot explains that “social security reimburses prostheses that cost between 15,000 and 25,000 euros, which is the alleviation“. But the price of the most sophisticated medical equipment can reach 100,000 euros.
Only, at this exorbitant price, those who can benefit from it fall into a very special case, which is not theirs. “People who can access these prostheses are often people who have been involved in road accidents, because there is a third party and insurance. And it’s good for them” further indicates the journalist, who was affected by osteosarcoma and amputated for this reason. It is therefore, according to him, aimmense injustice“.
“A 15-year-old kid who is knocked down on a scooter by a car and loses the use of his leg will be able to live with this prosthesis at 100,000 euros and it will be good for him because he will be able to fit into the working life, but the same youngster who, at 15, has osteosarcoma and well, there is no insurance. I told myself that I would most likely miss an association or an action fund to help children who are often victims of pediatric cancers. this is going to be one of my fights in the coming months” admits the journalist.
Towns and sports infrastructure not easily accessible
Beyond the reimbursement of prostheses, Matthieu Lartot also pushes a rant against cities in France, which lack accessibility for people with disabilities. The journalist thus denounces “sidewalks that are not straight, paved roads in many places” or “access to public transport which is very very difficult“.
Finally, it does not spare sports infrastructure either. Without jargon, he explains that for him, “the world of sport, and not just rugby, will have to mobilize to change the infrastructure a little and renovate certain stadiums to better accommodate people”, including people with disabilities or reduced mobility.