Jean-François Méheut
When Jean-François Méheut wakes up, he carefully puts on his Össur Proprio foot, takes dog Winston out for a walk, gives cat Bonnie a snuggle, and makes his wife Sylvie a breakfast of arguably, the best crêpes in Normandy.
He has created this routine as part of building up a whole new life as an amputee.
A process that takes courage, reliance, and a whole lot of love.
“Lucie showed me what a prosthesis looked like. And life suddenly looked different. With a prosthetic foot, I could see that life could keep going, that I had a future to look forward to.”
Jean-François
When Jean-François met Sylvie
Jean-François first met Sylvie at hotel school in Paris when he was 19 years old. They started dating and quickly became inseparable. Life was beautiful – young, free and in love.
Until one day, everything changed.
Two years in and out of hospital
On their way to school one day, Jean-François and Sylvie were riding their scooter when they were hit by a driver running a stop sign. They were both thrown off the scooter, which landed on Jean-François’ leg.
It took two years and over 20 operations to rebuild his leg.
Talking about this time is still difficult for Jean-François. “Sylvie got me through. She still does.”
Building a beautiful life, with hidden pain
Once Jean-François was back on his feet, they built a life together. Jean-François pursued his passion for hospitality and worked his way from reception to hotel management in Paris. And then when they were expecting their first child, the young couple left the bright lights of Paris and moved to quieter Normandy. Life was good.
Their first daughter, Juliette was born. They started a crêperie. And over time they had two more children, Charlotte and Lucie.
But for Jean-François, life was also full of pain. His leg still gave him a lot of pain but he coped by pushing the pain away, deep down. Despite suffering regular infections, Jean-François ploughed on.
He found a job in sales but it demanded all his energy, warmth, and spirit. Even so, he loved travelling around France visiting his clients. Until one day, just as suddenly as the scooter accident, everything changed.
Again.
A firewall of tears
An infection in Jean-François’ leg became so bad so quickly that the doctor told him straight, “We have to cut your leg off”. He couldn’t hold the information, or what it meant.
“My brain was just simply not able to process this information. And even up until the day before, it was an unreal thought that it was even a possibility to be able to just cut my leg off.” Over thirty years of pain came flooding out.
Jean-François’ mind raced with questions…
“How could they cut off a part of my body? What about my work? I love my work. How will I work? What on earth will life look like without my leg?” He cried an ocean of tears.
May 22
On May 22, 2019, Jean-François had his leg amputated.
It was his 50th birthday.
May 22 has since become an important anniversary for Jean-François and his family. They do something special to mark the day every year.
“Perhaps the most powerful thing my daughter Lucie did for me was she pushed me to go out and keep connected with the outside world when all I wanted to do is retreat. And this is exactly what the Proprio foot, that I am wearing today, does for me. With this foot, I don’t want to give up. I want to get out and live.”
Jean-François
Looking ahead, not back
Youngest daughter Lucie was the first to research possible solutions. She searched for answers to all the questions that were rushing through Jean-François’ mind. She wanted to see what life could look like following an amputation.
Lucie liked what she found. Clips of people wearing prostheses getting out and about, and leading fulfilling lives.
She found Össur and Össur products - keys to a whole new life for her dad. And her whole family.
With what Lucie uncovered, the family could see that life could go on and even though Jean-François’ leg had been amputated below the knee, there were solutions. Great solutions. A new foot would allow him to do the things he loves…walking Winston, being on the beach, bargain-hunting at the markets, and eating out with friends.
“Lucie showed me what a prosthesis looked like. And life suddenly looked different. With a prosthetic foot, I could see that life could keep going, that I had things to look forward to.”
She was such an amazing support through this time. She helped Sylvie to equip the house so that I could have my bedroom downstairs. She was with me at each painful stage - caring for my dressings, my falls, and my pain… She prepared meals for me when Sylvie was not there, we had a lot of one-on-one and long discussions.”
“Perhaps the most powerful thing Lucie did for me was she pushed me to go out, keep connected with the outside world when all I wanted to do is retreat. And this is exactly what the Proprio foot, that I am wearing today, does for me. It makes me want to keep going, keep walking. With this foot, I don’t want to give up. I want to get out and live.”
Building a new leg and a new life
It is now four years since the amputation.
Jean-François is building a new life with his Össur leg with Proprio foot.
However, as Jean-François still experiences pain following his amputation, he has recently had to stop work; a life change he is still coming to terms with. This means shifting focus from work to the rest of his world.
“I never thought I’d retire this early. It wasn’t my plan at all. I was passionate about my work. So, I’m grieving the loss. Sometimes I try and overcompensate by being some kind of Super Dad. But that’s not all that helpful either as it leaves me exhausted. I guess it will take time to find the right balance. I’ll get there, with time…”
Naturally outgoing, Jean-François is busy making new friends at his rehab center in neighboring Hérouville Saint Clair.
This sense of community is an important part of rebuilding. Through the centre he has joined a wheelchair handball team, “just last weekend, we all went to Sylvie’s crêperie, it was a lot of fun!”
On the strength of his positive experience at IMPR Hérouville Saint Clair, Jean-François wants to get a rehab centre set up closer to home in Normandy.
He wants to continue supporting others also going through the many phases of amputation. Create a place where people like him can find support, connection, and inspiration.
He is already helping others facing amputation.
And he’s known for taking the time to talk to curious kids about his leg. He enjoys telling them all about his Össur Leg and what it can do.
‘My Össur Leg with a Proprio Foot has given me back my independence and my freedom. I can easily get around the house, go out, and walk the dog. I can even join the family walking at the beach and dipping both my toes into the sea, which is so close to where we live. These are the moments that keep me going, and give me joy. It makes me want to walk.”
What’s next
Jean-François considers the amputation a success, “Sylvie and my daughters all say I look better now than before the amputation. Less tired and a bit better in general. I still find it kind of weird putting a leg on each morning, but I realise things are moving in the right direction.”
He is finding the small joys of daily life at home.
Morning crêpes with Sylvie.
Caring for Winston, Bonnie, his aquarium.
Chilling out to good music, building Lego.
He is aware he has all the ingredients for a rich and meaningful new life.
Full of love.
And crêpes.
Name: Jean-François Méheut
Occupation: Loving father and husband, Amputee Supporter and Advocate, Retired
Location: Normandy, France
- Being with my family
- Kisses from my wife Sylvie
- Exploring the markets for treasures
- Going to the movies and the gym
- Chilling out to quiet music and Lego
- Taking care of my cat Bonnie