Céline never set out to be a world champion surfer. In fact, as she puts it, she wasn't "sporty at all." But everything changed at 30, when a severe flare-up of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) rapidly progressed, impacting her mobility, walking, and energy. Today, she's not just an athlete; she's captain of the French para-surfing team, a two-time World Champion, and an artist whose creativity fuels her life. This isn't a story of overcoming adversity—it’s a story of Céline’s ability to radically reimagine her life, thanks to science and relentless resilience.
From Perfumes to Pipelines: A Life Reimagined
Before SPMS, Céline spent over a decade thriving in the perfume industry. Leaving that world was, in her words, "a great mourning." But after a period of despair, she made a bold decision: "Since my life had completely changed, I decided I was only going to do things I love and that make me happy." This wasn't optimism; it was a survival strategy. "If I was enjoying myself, then I wasn't thinking about the disease and how the symptoms were affecting me."
Her art, once just a hobby, blossomed into a profession. She began exhibiting her work and building a creative business. But the most striking transformation came in the form of para-surfing—a sport she’d never tried until after her diagnosis. "I surf lying down, and my coach is essential to providing physical support for me to get into the water and positioned on the board. Every part of the process and every piece of equipment has been adapted to work for me,” she explains. It’s a powerful reminder that accessibility, when paired with innovation, can unlock entirely new possibilities.
"Since my life had completely changed, I decided I was only going to do things I love and that make me happy."
Céline
The "Miracle" in Motion: Science, Spirit, and the Para-Surfing Dream
Céline's journey is not just personal—it's built on scientific progress. "I deeply believe in medicine and medical research," she says. "All the progress helps make this disease more manageable."
Her ultimate dream? "To represent France and be awarded the highest honor in sport on the global stage." It’s not just a pipedream—it’s the next milestone for a two-time world champion. This pursuit, she explains, is vital: "With this disease, you have to have a goal like that, a dream, a passion—something big enough, so every day is not always about the disease." For Céline, science provides a unique foundation for her to be able to make her sporting dreams a reality, and her unwavering spirit carries the rest. For others living with SPMS, Céline hopes that her story can help inspire others and unlock their own paths toward the dreams that matter most to them.
Adapting the World, One Wave at a Time
Céline's approach is practical and profound. When her right hand weakened, she taught herself to use her left. Her surfboard is customized. Her dog, Haize, a "huge motivator and source of energy for me," helps her avoid isolation. "People don't often make the effort to adapt things," she notes. "But if our way of thinking changed, the world would be much easier to navigate."
Her life challenges the conventional story of disability and is a testament to the idea that "anything is possible," a phrase she repeats with conviction. It's a reminder that while medical science provides the tools, it's the human spirit, with its capacity for reinvention and unwavering belief, that truly turns dreams into lived realities.
Every person's experience is unique and individual experiences may vary. Remember, your healthcare provider is the best source of health-related information and be sure to ask them any questions you may have. Individuals featured were compensated.
MAT-GLB-2505750 I October 2025