Sharing for an abundant future. This post is for my belle-mère, Marsha, who recently welcomed a dear and cherished grandson, "Christian," born trisomique (Down's Syndrome).
Today we ask ourselves how to say "special needs person" in French? Meantime, here is a related word, learned recently while gardening with a group of special needs students in France:
minutieux (minutieuse)
: careful, meticulous, fastidious
Soundfile: Listen to Jean-Marc read an excerpt from today's story:
Download MP3 or Wav
Ensuite la venue de Pascal et son groupe du foyer Maurice Dujardin des personnes belles, touchantes et très minutieuses. Next came Pascal and his beautiful, touching, and meticulous group from the Maurice Dujardin center.
- Correctly pronounce French with the book Exercises in French Phonetics
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE… by Kristin Espinasse
We left off, in the previous story, in a lush permaculture garden by the sea–where I was telling you about the arrival a mysterious French woman–une femme semencière!
Standing in a patch of pumpkins, she might have been the rebel rose trémière, those favorite flowers of mine–especially the rare ones with dark, coffee bean petals with heart-colored nuances, just like her shiny hair…..
My new permaculture friend! Here with her daughter.
"Je m'appelle Laurence," the dark-haired woman said, reaching out to shake my hand. Though her features were delicate and lovely, I knew by the frank handshake that here was a person who could get right to the core of things, without complicating matters.
(Now's a good time to segue to the present moment, where I'm sitting at my keyboard wondering how to introduce the next heroes of our story: the group of special needs students who arrived soon after to participate in the seedgathering workshop. But how to say "special needs person" in French? …
Sorting chickpeas at the workshop "Récolte ce que tu sèmes."
I leave you with Laurence's words, part of her garden journal which arrived in my mailbox soonafter the workshop ended.
Nous revenons du jardin avec une plénitude totale…
We've returned from the gardin with a total abundance…
Ensuite la venue de Pascal et son groupe du foyer Maurice Dujardin des personnes belles, touchantes et très minutieuses.
Next came Pascal and his beautiful, touching, and meticulous group from the Maurice Dujardin center.Thanks, Jean-Pierre Rossi of MOUVEMENT COLIBRIS for this photo.
BAREFEET ON THE SHEET TO GATHER FLAX SEEDS
SOUFFLERIE POUR GARDER QUE LES GRAINES…
BLOWING (on the husks) to KEEP only THE SEEDS…
EACH DOES HIS OR HER PART AND TOGETHER WE ARE (ONE)!
Moments of sweetness and sharing, so goes Life!!
French Vocabulary
trisomique = with Down's syndrome
une femme semencière = seedkeeper (or seedcarer) woman
la rose trémière = hollyhock
récolte ce que tu sèmes = harvest what you sow
le tamis = sieve
…and the opening photo reads:
la valise vivante = the living suitcase…
aux semences libres = with free seeds
libre d'échange = free to exchange
non HBF1 = non hybrid
oui à la vie reproductible = yes to reproductive life
Breizh, our 8-year-old golden retriever (and Smokey's mom)
Discover more from French Word-A-Day
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ahhhh, you have now combined my two passions in your posts car je suis prof de français qui pratique aussi l’agriculture biologique dans ma petite ferme à la campagne de la Pennsylvanie… merci! Je suis fana! Vive les semencières!
ahhhh, you have now combined my two passions in your posts car je suis prof de français qui pratique aussi l’agriculture biologique dans ma petite ferme à la campagne de la Pennsylvanie… merci! Je suis fana! Vive les semencières!
Hello there,
Special needs person = personne ayant des besoins particuliers OR personne ayant des besoins spéciaux. 🙂
Hope this helps!
Regards,
Pascal
Canada
Hello there,
Special needs person = personne ayant des besoins particuliers OR personne ayant des besoins spéciaux. 🙂
Hope this helps!
Regards,
Pascal
Canada
What a lovely blog you have Kristin! I’m not surprised at all, and can’t wait to read your memoir. I got sidetracked by a bunch of free memoirs on the WLM Facebook group( which I think you are part of) and then by some Georgette Heyers which I re-read from time to time for comfort. 🙂
What a lovely blog you have Kristin! I’m not surprised at all, and can’t wait to read your memoir. I got sidetracked by a bunch of free memoirs on the WLM Facebook group( which I think you are part of) and then by some Georgette Heyers which I re-read from time to time for comfort. 🙂
Hello Kristin,
Since my wonderful female Boxer left us, last July 26th, I’ve been silent…
But I’d like to let you know that a “special needs person” can be translated into french : “auxiliaire de vie”. He, or she, takes care of… and/or assists and/or helps a handicapped person all day(s) long and sometimes during the night(s) whenever this person is hospitalized in a special institute.
Hoping I could help.
Hello Kristin,
Since my wonderful female Boxer left us, last July 26th, I’ve been silent…
But I’d like to let you know that a “special needs person” can be translated into french : “auxiliaire de vie”. He, or she, takes care of… and/or assists and/or helps a handicapped person all day(s) long and sometimes during the night(s) whenever this person is hospitalized in a special institute.
Hoping I could help.
This post goes straight to my heart. As the mother of a 44year old special needs daughter I appreciate any effort to expand their horizons. Merci beaucoup, chère Kristi!
This post goes straight to my heart. As the mother of a 44year old special needs daughter I appreciate any effort to expand their horizons. Merci beaucoup, chère Kristi!
Hi Kristin,
What a lovely post today! I enjoyed it so much and love all the photos! Have a wonderful weekend! I meet so many special needs friends when I pick up my meals for Meals on Wheels. They help deliver to homebound seniors and they are the sweetest people!
Hi Kristin,
What a lovely post today! I enjoyed it so much and love all the photos! Have a wonderful weekend! I meet so many special needs friends when I pick up my meals for Meals on Wheels. They help deliver to homebound seniors and they are the sweetest people!
I love your blog! I forward it to 3 grandchildren whom I am taking to France next summer!
I love your blog! I forward it to 3 grandchildren whom I am taking to France next summer!
What a “heartwarming” blog! And was I the only one to “see a heart” in the very first picture with the hands holding the seeds, in my mind’s eye the seeds in her hand wee in the shape of a heart….
What a “heartwarming” blog! And was I the only one to “see a heart” in the very first picture with the hands holding the seeds, in my mind’s eye the seeds in her hand wee in the shape of a heart….
Kristi, my life was certainly enriched by spending a couple of hours with these incredible special needs people. All those beautiful, busy hands working together to help Les Femmes Semencières and ourselves and future generations by gathering productive seeds and sewing the seeds of awareness. Bravo à tous!
Kristi, my life was certainly enriched by spending a couple of hours with these incredible special needs people. All those beautiful, busy hands working together to help Les Femmes Semencières and ourselves and future generations by gathering productive seeds and sewing the seeds of awareness. Bravo à tous!
I like your new blog format and it reads great on my iPhone. All your social media links at the bottom of your posting work fine for me too. Glad I am not having any issues 🙂
I like your new blog format and it reads great on my iPhone. All your social media links at the bottom of your posting work fine for me too. Glad I am not having any issues 🙂
Hi Kristin,
French-Word-A-Day arrived fine after the change in carrier, but the email version does not show the title – it began with “How to say special needs person in French”. Not sure if that is only at my end, but thought I’d mention it. You ask for ‘corrections’, so one for this column is the photo caption about Damien…it should say ‘us students’.
Take care and best to your belle-mère…
Hi Kristin,
French-Word-A-Day arrived fine after the change in carrier, but the email version does not show the title – it began with “How to say special needs person in French”. Not sure if that is only at my end, but thought I’d mention it. You ask for ‘corrections’, so one for this column is the photo caption about Damien…it should say ‘us students’.
Take care and best to your belle-mère…
I don’t know how the buttons are working but I find that none of the photos can be opened in my email with this new distribution method. So I have to go online now to read the blog. Not a crisis but I did much prefer finding the whole thing..photos and all…in my email.
I don’t know how the buttons are working but I find that none of the photos can be opened in my email with this new distribution method. So I have to go online now to read the blog. Not a crisis but I did much prefer finding the whole thing..photos and all…in my email.
Same issues here with the photos and the new email carrier. Also sending this from the web page as the typepad wouldn’t open to Comments from the distribution.
Same issues here with the photos and the new email carrier. Also sending this from the web page as the typepad wouldn’t open to Comments from the distribution.
Dear Kristin, I work with nonprofits in fundraising. One of the nonprofits that I work with is LuMind Foundation. I encourage you to go to their website (lumindfoundation.org). Their mission is “to stimulate biomedical research that will accelerate the development of treatments to significantly improve cognition, including memory, learning and speech, for individuals with Down syndrome.” You will find resources and information there that you can share with your relatives. Quite a bit is being done right now. Best to you and your family, Frances in Napa, California
Dear Kristin, I work with nonprofits in fundraising. One of the nonprofits that I work with is LuMind Foundation. I encourage you to go to their website (lumindfoundation.org). Their mission is “to stimulate biomedical research that will accelerate the development of treatments to significantly improve cognition, including memory, learning and speech, for individuals with Down syndrome.” You will find resources and information there that you can share with your relatives. Quite a bit is being done right now. Best to you and your family, Frances in Napa, California
Bobbi & I have same problem w/ your blog…can’t get pictures on in email & must go online.
Loved this post! And note from Laurence…get to practice my French!
Thank U.
Bobbi & I have same problem w/ your blog…can’t get pictures on in email & must go online.
Loved this post! And note from Laurence…get to practice my French!
Thank U.
Beautiful post today, Kristi, from your beautiful heart.
Beautiful post today, Kristi, from your beautiful heart.
Had the issue with the photos and comments, but hit the contact button, and viola, an hour later tout c’est bon. Love the bit about the seeds and the children. For the language, today I learned the word “ruche” meaning beehive. Makes sense to me why they call it ‘ruching” in dresses, especially the wedding dresses. I also learned more, but that was one of those ah-ha moments. Have a lovely week-end. Daughters of two of my friends have Down’s children. What they need most is love, understanding and acceptance. The physical and mental education become so much easier.
Had the issue with the photos and comments, but hit the contact button, and viola, an hour later tout c’est bon. Love the bit about the seeds and the children. For the language, today I learned the word “ruche” meaning beehive. Makes sense to me why they call it ‘ruching” in dresses, especially the wedding dresses. I also learned more, but that was one of those ah-ha moments. Have a lovely week-end. Daughters of two of my friends have Down’s children. What they need most is love, understanding and acceptance. The physical and mental education become so much easier.
Reading this post today added to my joie de vivre! Charming and beautiful photos!
Reading this post today added to my joie de vivre! Charming and beautiful photos!
What a lovely post to have arrived directly in my mailbox! Merci Kristi pour tous…
What a lovely post to have arrived directly in my mailbox! Merci Kristi pour tous…
Bonjour Kristin!
Thanks for your heartwarming post today! It touched me deeply as the grandmother of 3 year old Lain, a child who has Down Syndrome, and is a delight in every way! His arms are forever held out to me for hugs when I visit. The smile on his face says everything. And I must not forget his big protective brothers, Kellen and Cairn, who are just as wonderful!
To Marsha and your family: Congratulations! As we watch Lain grow up, every step seems even more amazing than the last. There is no time table for these special children. They progress on their own terms. May you enjoy the journey!
Best wishes, Georgia
P.S. Our family will be participating in the Club 21 Walkathon in Pasadena, CA. on October 25th. This organization supports children with Down Syndrome and their families. Should you wish more information about the work they do or wish to support the Lain Train Team, you can google Club 21.
Bonjour Kristin!
Thanks for your heartwarming post today! It touched me deeply as the grandmother of 3 year old Lain, a child who has Down Syndrome, and is a delight in every way! His arms are forever held out to me for hugs when I visit. The smile on his face says everything. And I must not forget his big protective brothers, Kellen and Cairn, who are just as wonderful!
To Marsha and your family: Congratulations! As we watch Lain grow up, every step seems even more amazing than the last. There is no time table for these special children. They progress on their own terms. May you enjoy the journey!
Best wishes, Georgia
P.S. Our family will be participating in the Club 21 Walkathon in Pasadena, CA. on October 25th. This organization supports children with Down Syndrome and their families. Should you wish more information about the work they do or wish to support the Lain Train Team, you can google Club 21.
Kristin, congrats on the new site!
We are harvesting the first fruits of your website planting!
So many benefits from that garden gathering. I am guessing the folks there just had the best day.
Many hands make small work.
Kristin, congrats on the new site!
We are harvesting the first fruits of your website planting!
So many benefits from that garden gathering. I am guessing the folks there just had the best day.
Many hands make small work.
Thank you, Georgia! And to all who have written in with encouraging words for my family or my newsletter transitions 🙂 wishing you a wonderful weekend and see you on Wednesday with another update.
Thank you, Georgia! And to all who have written in with encouraging words for my family or my newsletter transitions 🙂 wishing you a wonderful weekend and see you on Wednesday with another update.
Thank you Kristin for writing about your wonderful day with your new friends who shared the experience of seed gathering. Isn’t life rewarding when you realise how the simplest activities can impart so much joy into our life merci ami artiste June
Thank you Kristin for writing about your wonderful day with your new friends who shared the experience of seed gathering. Isn’t life rewarding when you realise how the simplest activities can impart so much joy into our life merci ami artiste June
Bonjour Kristin,
Thanks for the switch over without a problem.
I love reading your stories and learning new phrases and words in French.
Bonjour Kristin,
Thanks for the switch over without a problem.
I love reading your stories and learning new phrases and words in French.
“…to we…”? Please!
“…to we…”? Please!