Sophie Froger

Country: France
Age: 50
Occupation: Former attorney
Type of MS: Secondary progressive
Year of diagnosis: 2000

I was born in Angers, France on 30 July 1956. I grew up there, and it was only after having completed my law studies that I moved to Bourges in central France.
In Bourges I co-founded the law firm in which I practiced as an attorney for twenty years. Between practising law and raising my children (when I found time!), I did the things I loved: reading, writing and sports such as tennis, downhill skiing, swimming and my favourite of all, horse riding.

In the spring of 2000, I suddenly lost both my sight and the use of my legs. On 1 May of that year I was given the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS). This neurological disease, both disabling and degenerative, raised doubts about my life, and I was forced to halt my career and stop my sports activities, something that was very difficult to accept during the first couple of months.

Then I had to undergo numerous medical treatments, but I was very fortunate to be helped by a wonderful neurologist, whom I trust a lot. My fighting spirit and cheerful nature both also helped me to overcome the disease.

Today, in spite of my MS, I continue as a single parent to my two children, Charles, 22 and Agathe, 13. They were only 14 and 5 years old respectively when I was diagnosed, but their reaction was positive. I explained to them what MS was, and cheered them up the best I could without forgetting to make them aware of the physical problems that I would encounter. Books and cartoons for kids explaining MS helped me a lot.

In March 2005, I founded my own organisation, ASEP 18; its purpose being to lend moral support to those who have been diagnosed and are dealing with the consequences of MS. ASEP has a very pragmatic approach and I use my legal experience to help others in completing their applications to obtain government assistance. We organise meetings, conferences and leisure activities accessible to everybody.

I have also built a website, ASEP18, which provides in-depth information on MS and is welcoming and accessible. Many people from French-speaking countries visit it on a regular basis.

All this keeps me very busy (sometimes too busy, according to my children) and helps me to keep on living the best way: helping other people.

After several years of treatment, the disease currently seems to have given me some respite and I have decided that I will grab every opportunity to fulfil the dreams of my youth.

For example, in October 2005, under the name of Sophie Poilane-Benhaïm, my first book, Le Chant de l'Arc-en-Ciel (Song of the Rainbow), was published by L'Harmattan. The book deals with the feelings of despair and injustice that being diagnosed with a degenerative disease can bring but also how the diagnosis can open up a new life. In writing this book I became the voice of the many people affected by degenerative diseases who find themselves alone and isolated.

I have also recently completed an expedition across the wilds of Quebec, Canada, where I solo-piloted a dogsled team.

This project was an opportunity for me to bring together many of the things that are dear to me such as nature, wide-open country, snowy landscapes and dogs. At the same time, it was a chance to challenge myself physically and emotionally. But most of all, I wished to use this dog sledding experience to increase awareness of MS, to demonstrate, through my personal story, that medical research is starting to bear fruit and that mental strength is vital in helping to overcome an illness or handicap.


After several months of intense physical training, extensive research, countless meetings and the recruitment of sponsors, the expedition Grand North 2007 began to take shape and the dream gradually became a reality.

The expedition, two weeks in duration, began in Girardville (Quebec) on 18 March 2007. It was indeed an exercise in self-sufficiency and confidence building and, in spite of the cold, exhaustion and restless days, I completed it.