After his armored vehicle exploded on a device during Operation Barkhane, this Tarbes hussar became paraplegic while one of his brothers in arms lost his life. Thirty months later, he was finally able to walk again thanks to an exoskeleton at the heart of the Station Debout research center in Paris.
Now a civilian in the 1st RHP of Tarbes, Sulaymân remains a passionate fighter, a claimed hussar. This sense of sacrifice, he experienced it in his flesh during the summer of 2020, when his armored vehicle was blown up by an explosion in Mali. At his side, Brigadier Eric will pay with his life. Sulaymân, he sees his rocking at just 20 years old. Seriously injured, he begins a long convalescence, without giving up either his determination or his courage. Paraplegic, he the accomplished sportsman can no longer use his legs. That’s life, that’s how it is, he confesses fatalistically. I liked being in the military. Today, my spinal cord is affected, causing a heavy disability, with two years in a wheelchair. I was told, stop thinking about it, you won’t walk anymore. It takes a toll on morale. But rather than seeing what I can no longer do, I focus on what is still possible…
@station.debout Official inauguration of Station Debout! What an honor to have had @Emmanuel Macron for the occasion. Thank you for this moment of sharing. ??✨ #research #disability #adventure #foryoupage #pourtoi ♬ Epic – Joystock
Until the end of January when Sulaymân and his companion meet at the Station Debout research and activity center for the disabled, in the heart of Paris for the inauguration of the premises. They were looking for a wounded and paraplegic soldier to give him this demonstration. They wanted someone sporty, says the young Tarbes hussar. They were given my name. It was a stroke of luck. Everything is linked very quickly for the injured bigourdan. The day before, we busy ourselves around him, taking measurements, adjustments, until the first test of this revolutionary exoskeleton, an amazing beast of iron and sensors. It was very intuitive, admits Sulaymân. The prototype weighs 90 kg, but it hugs the body perfectly. So we don’t feel it. It is really he who carries us. I went straight into it, without hesitation. I was really looking forward to discovering these sensations…
Getting up is enormous, physically and morally. We are finally at the level of people. I saw that it was possible and I am convinced that it will go quickly. I believe it. It motivates me. Maybe I wouldn’t be in a wheelchair all my life…
About twenty minutes during which Sulaymân manages to straighten up, to move forward, standing, more than ever. My first steps were a bit robotic. but it made me so happy. Getting up is enormous, physically and morally. We are finally at the same height as the people. You walk with your legs, not with your arms. It was good at the time and afterwards, for circulation, joints, digestion. After that, I was relaxed but also a little disgusted to find my chair.
Sulaymân with his partner Linda, happy and proud, surrounded by the president and the First Lady and the managers of the Station Debout center. / Photo DR
Rebelote the next day, this time in the presence of the President of the Republic, the First Lady, and several ministers, for the official inauguration of Station Debout. For me, it was time to move this cause forward. We never talk about exoskeletons, the benefits they bring. Through me, the President realized the importance of such devices. The Head of State has also undertaken to deploy exoskeletons in each department for the modular wounded. The idea is for this material to be as accessible and discreet as possible, continues Suleyman, who has kept in touch with the research center. We often have to manage to adapt. But there, the fact of being able to walk again, get up, drive more easily… It can also change the daily lives of people whose habitat is not suitable. I saw that it was possible and I am convinced that it will go quickly. I believe it. It motivates me. Maybe I wouldn’t be in a wheelchair all my life… A way also to embody the military motto: to be and to last. This material can also allow us to protect ourselves, especially in the arms. Today I am 22 years old.I don’t want to not be able to live to 40 anymore. But to take these first steps a little further…
Competing for the Invictus Game
More than two years after the tragedy, Sulayman has lost none of his determination or his energy. With Tim, the other soldier on board this VBL also seriously injured, they resumed their physical preparation, to honor their selection for the Invictus Game, in September in Dusseldorf. To fight again for France, on another ground. For me, it was very important to be able to return to the regiment, if only to honor the memory of our brother. Here, there is an indescribable respect and understanding. We also want to show the youngest that no matter what happens, we can move forward.
