Charles Biétry suffering from Charcot's disease: “A few weeks or months to live”, his moving testimony

Charles Biétry suffers from Charcot's disease. The sports journalist confided on the last moments of his life on TF1.

© TF1 Charles Biétry suffering from Charcot's disease: “A few weeks or months to live”, his moving testimony

IN BRIEF

• Charles Biétry, an 81-year-old sports journalist suffering from Charcot's disease, was the portrait of the week in Sept à Huit on TF1 on January 26, 2025.
• Despite progressive paralysis and the inability to speak, he uses artificial intelligence to communicate and remains determined to enjoy life and support research.
• Inspired through sport and supported by his wife, Charles Biétry continues to fight against the disease with optimism and resilience.

Charles Biétry, sports journalist, suffers from Charcot's disease. In Sept à Huit on TF1, he was the portrait of the week this Sunday, January 26, 2025. He is preparing for the end of his life at 81 years old.The reason ? This disease progressively paralyzes his muscles. 

In Brittany, Charles Bietry can no longer speak because of the disease. He answered the questions in writing and this was transcribed by the voice of an artificial intelligence. “I can't talk anymore and I eat with great difficulty. (…) I'm starting to lose weight and they're going to have an abdominal tube fitted through which they'll introduce food. Morally, it's a bit hard.” explains the journalist.

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Charles Biétry talks about his illness: he can't talk anymore

For journalist Charles Biétry, it is difficult to no longer be able to speak. “It's a torture. The words are in my head, but I can't get them out. We curl up and we risk no longer having contact with the outside world.” he explains before saying that he wants to continue to keep smiling. “I am alive, alive. I have a few weeks or months left to live. Why do you want me to waste them and the lives of my loved ones ? I want to take advantage of it and do everything in my power to help research and other sick people.”

Charles Biétry does not want to let himself die. “I am at war against the disease.Sport helps me every day to hate defeat. I know I'm going to lose one day. But I have to fight, the Bretons never give up.“ laughs the Breton. “The Internet will allow me to know my opponent better. This Charcot is tough, attacks from all sides. And he kills. The illness therefore gives me a date with death.”

The sports journalist talks about the support of his wife

During the interview on TF1, Charles Biétry's wife is present. “We have loved each other for 45 years in extreme happiness and the situation is not easy for her. Yet, when we feel down, she is the one who gets us back on our feet with a phrase that has become legendary in the family: 'We will laugh until the end.' and çit works.” says the journalist.

“She helps me by being quite simply. A look, a smile, a caress, these are moments of happiness.“ Charles Biétry, in love as on the first day, sent him a message. He also had a thought for the other sick people. What helps him ? Sport. “I'm doing pretty well compared to my friends who are in wheelchairs. I no longer have my balance but with two English crutches I do 200 meters every two days. And four times a week 30 minutes of biking avoiding falls, which have already led seven times à the hospital.”