Welcome to my fundraising page and thank you for supporting my ride!
My name is Thibaut Federlen. I am 32 years old and live in France, more precisely in the Alsace region. I also have severe hemophilia A. I've been cycling in the summer for several years now, across France and Europe. I opted for this mode of travel because some of my joints are no longer in good condition. Indeed, following numerous hemarthroses that occurred during my youth, my left ankle is quite badly damaged and no longer allows me to stand or walk for very long. I no longer have strength in my left arm because of the condition of my elbow, and I can no longer straighten my arms. Pedaling doesn't hurt my ankles, and spares my elbows, even if they bother me. I then feel free to move, over time, without being stopped by my joint problems. I have always been sporty, notably practicing handball in clubs for almost 25 years, but the fatigue and pain caused by handball or any sport where I use a lot of my joints became too heavy to bear. The same goes for my work. I was a viticulture worker for 10 years, but spending hours on my feet using my arms is no longer for me.
When I was 30 years old I made the decision to stop playing handball, as well as my work. I realize to what extent my disability impacts my life, and that it will be necessary to live in harmony with my body. During this period, I felt a need to connect with the community of people living with rare hemorrhagic diseases.
This is why, during my trip last year, I contacted patient associations in the countries I was passing through so that I could meet them during my visit. I met the hemophiliac Jesper, a Dane who directed the film “The Bumblebee” about a severe hemophiliac who realizes his dream of running the Tour De France (true story!). I also met hemophiliac Kari, a Finnish man with whom we shared a sauna, and others, who hosted me and took care of me as if I were family. Each of them allowed me to feel understood in what characterizes me most in my life. I also think that being sick is a fact. The idea of my trip was to use it in a positive way, by using the network to find a little comfort, and reassurance during it.
Delighted with this experience, I will leave this summer from Guebwiller (where I live) to Sarajevo. Always cycling, and always hoping to meet my peers!
I know taking part in this event will make a difference in the lives of people with bleeding disorders around the world. With your donation you can help me support Save One Life and change the course of someone's life.
Thank you for your support!
Save One Life is a nonprofit organization working to provide people with the tools they need to overcome living with a bleeding disorder and in poverty. We work in 15 developing countries to provide direct financial assistance, and sometimes life-saving factor, to people living in challenging conditions.
With assistance from Save One Life, people with a bleeding disorder, or their families, can improve their future by having a better quality of life, the ability to start or grow a small business, access to higher education, and camps.
