Théo Curin shares a magnificent life lesson. The young athlete who now hopes to pursue acting contracts was only six years old when he was diagnosed with meningococcal type C meningitis. The verdict is clear: the child had to have all four limbs amputated to save his life. After a long convalescence during which he had to learn to get around in a wheelchair and then with the help of prostheses, Théo Curin was able to benefit from the help of his loved ones to face this ordeal.
“Not a sad dayâ€: Théo Curin looks back on his amputation twenty years ago
Today a presenter for the public service, Théo Curin remembers the before and after of this operation. This Monday, May 18, 2026, on Instagram, the disabled swimmer from Meurthe-et-Moselle remembered having been operated on exactly twenty years ago, on May 18, 2006. Even if he confides that he is not the type to “show off” his private life publicly, he decided to share his testimony to prove that reconstruction is possible. “Today, I wanted to mark the occasion. A somewhat special birthday, obviously. But not a sad day. Because since that day, I have mainly received: Love. Strength. Presence. Lots of kindness too†, writes the one who wanted to thank his family and friends for their unwavering support. “It is often said that certain trials change a life. Above all, they taught me the value of the people around me. And if today I have the chance to experience so many things, to smile, to move forward, to dream again… it’s thanks to them†, he adds, in order to inspire those who also face very difficult trials.
Théo Curin: what would have allowed him to escape amputation
Théo Curin accompanies his message with an old photo of him in the hospital after his operation. Despite the pain, the young boy already showed a big smile. As a reminder, Théo Curin’s mother had put her career on hold in order to support him both physically and psychologically. During a previous interview, the latter notably remembered how his mother had intervened when a woman had expressed concern that he was contagious. “At the moment, this situation saddened me a lot but today, I’m laughing about it!†, said the man who works during the various awareness campaigns for the meningococcal meningitis vaccine. “If, in 2006, we had been informed of this, I would have been treated quickly with antibiotics and, therefore, been able to avoid amputation†he explained. Quite a life journey.
