On 16 July 1997, during a sports camp where he was a supervisor, a diving accident in a swimming pool caused him to displace his spine; he was later told he would never walk again. However, in 1999, after a year of intensive treatment, he regained the ability to walk, inspiring his alias of Grand Corps Malade (meaning "Tall Sick Body" in French) in reference to his condition as well as his height (nearly 6'4" which is 1.95m).
