Testimonial:
My name is Sandy. I’m 32 years old and have two children, ages 3 and 6. I was completely fulfilled and happy until February 12, 2018. Married since 2011 to my soulmate, on a Monday that seemed just like any other, my life was turned upside down. My husband was in a car accident on Route 3 while he was on a work assignment. He collided with a DDE truck that was stopped behind a crashed car in the left lane of Route 3 heading toward Claye-Souilly/Meaux. My husband died instantly, and no one else was injured. The gendarmerie informed me of this tragedy by phone at my workplace. They immediately advised me to seek help from AVIMEJ 77 (an association in partnership with the government), emphasizing during our discussions the association’s expertise in administrative, psychological, and legal matters. Aware of my situation, I contacted them right after my husband’s funeral, which took place ten days later. However, my husband tragically lost his life on the eve of the February school break! It’s important to note that school breaks in France mean that administrative processes come to a standstill. In fact, the AVIMEJ contact I was supposed to reach out to was on leave for those two weeks. I was advised to send an email so they could get back to me to schedule an appointment. Which I did. No response. I called again, and they offered me an appointment the following week from such-and-such time to such-and-such time. I refused and asked for a phone appointment as soon as possible (I’ll remind you that my world had just come crashing down on me at that moment. I’m completely lost. I don’t know what to do or where to start. I don’t know how to handle my emotions, and yet a terrible burden has been placed on me.) I managed to get a phone consultation. During that call, we mainly discussed the legal proceedings I had the choice to pursue or not. No information was requested regarding my handling of the administrative aspects of my husband’s death (how was I managing? Had I thought about this or that? NOTHING). Alongside this process, I had reached out to the AVIMEJ psychologist. Faced with such a shock, psychological support for me or my children was obvious. Once again, the school holidays did not work in our favor. After several unanswered calls, the psychologist contacted me a month and a half after my initial request, suggesting an appointment at a rather distant future date due to high demand. So I replied that I had taken matters into my own hands, as I couldn’t wait forever and simply needed some consideration. It was during a conversation that I was told about the Victime et Avenir association. I was offered the chance to get in touch with them. I accepted. That same day, I received a call from the association’s representative, Ms. Maud Escriva; she listened to my situation and offered to meet with me at my home the next day. From the very first call, I felt at ease, and that feeling was confirmed during our meeting. First, we introduced ourselves to each other, then she listened and asked personalized questions about my situation: what insurance policies had I taken out? Where was I in the administrative process? Did I need to be referred anywhere? What was my financial situation regarding whether or not I could handle the emergency? At that moment, I felt a sense of relief; I finally saw before me a competent person who knew their subject and who struck me as a source of strength. I appreciated the responsiveness in handling my case, the transparency (during email exchanges, calls, and visits), and above all, the availability they provided me. The Victime et Avenir association isn’t just about providing help; it’s about listening intently, constantly reflecting, and going above and beyond for others. It’s not just a shoulder to lean on—it’s a warrior who channels their energy to rescue us during a painful battle. This support is of the highest quality in human relationships and in areas beyond our control. This testimonial is both to say a big thank you to you, Maud, and to the families of road accident victims: Do not remain alone, and just remember the name Victime et Avenir.