Julie Taton, committed woman, entrepreneur, iconic media figure in our country, Miss Belgium 2003, joins the Mouvement Réformateur. Julie Taton will take second place on the federal list in Hainaut. At the heart of her commitment: health and the protection of the most vulnerable. The announcement was made at a press conference today alongside Georges-Louis Bouchez.
Health and the protection of the most vulnerable
Julie Taton: “No one expected me in politics. I admit I didn't either, and yet, when Georges-Louis suggested it to me, it became obvious. Obvious because I'm at a turning point in my life. I'll be turning 40 in less than a month. And above all, I'm marking a very important anniversary for me in a few days… the anniversary of the announcement of my eldest son Côme's disability.
I learned three years ago, on 20 January, about his rare illness. A genetic condition I passed on to him, which causes a significant intellectual disability. When I heard the news, I immediately wanted to set up a centre, join an association, create one… But I didn't have the strength for it.
I had to, and did, take the time to process the news, take it in, bounce back and, above all, be fully there for my baby. I quickly understood that there were things that weren't working very well in our country. Let me give you a concrete example:
Speech therapy costs are not reimbursed for children with a low IQ (below 86, with 90 considered the norm). I'm entitled to 12 sessions a year. Ideally, I'd need 2 a week. I feel entirely privileged because I can offer my son this support, but how do people on low incomes manage?
This point has already been raised many times by various associations, including the one for Fragile X syndrome, the condition I carry and have passed on to my son. This is just one example among many.
So I wanted to make a difference and get into politics, supported by a party that can help me carry on my fight! A daily fight that I wage for my son and that I want to wage for all the other little and grown-up Cômes!”
For Georges-Louis Bouchez: “ Politics isn't a profession, there are women and men full of conviction who want to defend a cause. Julie Taton is very well known, that's no crime, and it shouldn't stop you taking the plunge in her situation. Her role will be to reach out to younger people, to people less engaged in politics, to people who no longer want political games. With Julie, we're truly committed to projects. I'm extremely proud of that. She will be an excellent candidate and an excellent MP. Julie will be second on the Chamber list in Hainaut. I'd like to highlight her humility, she had comfort and is putting herself at risk today. That commands respect. Thank you for her commitment!”