[LUM#8] Thu, Fri, Sat
This former business student has invented a card game unlike any other. It’s a game that fosters creativity, imagination, and cooperation. It features 54 illustrated cards designed to help players weave stories together and is intended for use by as many people as possible, regardless of whether they have a disability.
“Together: let’s imagine, play, and learn.” That’s the motto of the Triq’O association, founded by Thomas Lario. How did a Master’s degree in management control lead this former student of the Faculty of Economic and Social Administration to enter the world of gaming? “Management control isn’t just about numbers, ” Thomas Larioreplies . “Contrary to popular belief, this field is not at odds with creativity.”
Together with his wife, a special education teacher, the management controller devised a deck of 54 illustrated cards that can be used to play classic card games but also offer many other possibilities.“Hearts represent characters, spades represent places, diamonds represent events, and clubs represent objects or actions.” By drawing cards at random, each player creates a combination from which they must invent a story—or rather, “weave” one together.
Spark the imagination
“Triq’O is also specifically designed for children and adults with disabilities or communication difficulties; the goal is to stimulate the imagination,” explains Thomas Lario. 700 games have already been distributed in the Hérault region to children in the hospital.“The game is used by schools, speech therapists, and teachers of French as a foreign language. It has also been distributed to children at the university’s recreation center.”
The association actively supports medical research on Marfan syndrome, a rare genetic disorder from which the founder of Triq’O suffers.“I’ve received a great deal of care and attention, and founding this association was also a way for me to give back what I’ve received.” To raise funds, Triq’O organizes a variety of charitable initiatives.“For example, the‘Imagination Isn’t Sick’challenge, with the support of college sports and the volleyball community, allows us to make donations to the Marfan Association, ”explains Thomas Lario.
Building on these successes, the Triq’O association is already planning to expand its range of games with a Triq’O Lotto version currently in development. “We want to build intergenerational connections by having older adults and children play together.” It’s a wonderful project for Thomas Lario, who is putting his motto into action:“No goal is too high—only steps that are too high.”
UM podcasts are now available on your favorite platform (Spotify, Deezer, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, etc.).