Anne-Dauphine Julliand was born on November 23, 1973, in Paris, France. She studied journalism and began her writing career in the daily press.
In July 2000, Julliand married and had four children: Gaspard, Thaïs, Azylis, and Arthur. Her daughter Thaïs was born on February 29, 2004, and was diagnosed with metachromatic leukodystrophy, a rare and incurable lysosomal storage disease, in 2006.
Thaïs's illness was devastating, and she passed away in 2007. Julliand was heartbroken but found solace in her Catholic faith. She wrote about her experiences and the impact of Thaïs's illness on her family in her memoir, Deux petits pas sur le sable mouillé (Two Small Footprints in Wet Sand),which was published in 2011.
The book was a huge success, selling over 260,000 copies and being translated into twenty languages. It also won the 2011 testimony prize from Le Pèlerin. Julliand's faith was further strengthened through her experiences, and she believes that love is the only cure for her children's illnesses.
In 2013, Julliand published Une journée particulière (A Particular Day),which recounts the day her daughter Thaïs would have turned eight years old. The book is a poignant reflection on the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing every moment.
Julliand has also made a documentary film, Et les Mistrals gagnants (And the Mistrals Win),which explores the theme of children and disease. The film was released in 2017 and features interviews with families who have experienced similar challenges.
Through her writing and filmmaking, Julliand has become a powerful advocate for families affected by childhood illnesses. Her stories have touched the hearts of many, and she continues to inspire and support others who are going through similar experiences.
