HIV-positive man in legal, financial tug-of-war
Former drama teacher Emanuel Cini has difficulty walking up the stairs because of partial paralysis. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
"Being HIV positive in Malta is not exactly a tea party. It's pretty horrible," Emanuel Cini, 45, says as he struggles to smile.
He feels he has been ignored by employers, treated rudely by doctors and "annulled" by social services.
Having dual Maltese and British citizenship, he is also in the middle of a tug-of-war for financial assistance and has so far been left without a cent.
Mr Cini contracted HIV in 1992 but managed to live an independent life for decades in the UK and Spain as a drama teacher. However, when he returned to Cospicua last year to take care of his dying father and ageing mother, he contracted toxoplasmosis, a rare disease that left him with a stroke-like condition.
When he underwent a brain scan they found his brain was surrounded by pus and the pressure in the end damaged it. "It has affected my speech and left me with a partial paralysis on the right hand side of my body."
He believes he contracted the parasitic disease because of an abundance of pigeon faeces at his former place of work but has no way of proving it.
Now his father has died and he is living off his 67-year-old mother's pension.
Mr Cini wants to move out and start living an independent life again but to do so he either needs to get government assistance or get a job, which he has found incredibly difficult to do, because of his condition.
Despite his unfortunate circumstances, he has kept his sense of humour and sharpness of mind. He speaks with a gentle politeness as he pets his beloved French bull-dog.
In his view, the worst part of it all is that he is being treated as an extension of his mother. "If they send a letter, they send it in my mother's name, even if they want to speak to me," he says of social services. "It's like I do not exist. It's outrageous. If this is a law it is a terrible law and it must be changed."
He applied for his disability living allowance from London's social services months ago but has been left without a reply.
"When I was living there I used to receive an allowance but I gave it up when my condition improved and I started working. Now I'm almost paralysed I need it again. But since I'm living here I'm finding it extremely difficult to get any confirmation from them. I've already spent €200 on phone calls but there's so much bureaucracy, I haven't received any answers."
He cannot get much from Malta either because he has spent most of his life living abroad. The only thing he qualifies for is an €80 monthly disability allowance for his paralytic state but, since he is living with his mother, he has been told he cannot receive that either.
"They tell me I can only get an allowance if I am living alone. But I can't live alone until I get the allowance or some form of social housing. So I'm stuck here living off my mother's pension."
All he gets from the government is free healthcare but even this is a battle.
"Those working with HIV-positive people are very good in a clinical sense but their manner is very old-fashioned. It reminds me of matrons in the 1950s, the way they walk around with their entourage terrorising everyone they have to treat."
"All I'm doing is fighting my way through being recognised and not talked to as if I'm some kind of idiot who doesn't know anything... to be looked at straight in the face. These are things I think are very important."
He says he wants to work but no one wants to employ him. He believes he was asked to leave his previous job because his colleagues complained. They were afraid his condition was contagious and they were being put at an unnecessary risk.
So what is he asking for?
"I'm asking from Maltese society to realise that being HIV-positive is not really a big deal. To get HIV is very difficult. You have to have sexual contact. You won't walk out of here with HIV just by speaking to me," he says.
He is also asking for the government to give him an empty one-bedroom flat in the Cottonera area so he can lead an independent life and continue with his rehabilitation where he is not a burden to his mother.
"That way maybe I can start being recognised as a person again and have my own address where social services can send letters in my name. Until then, what can I do? I have no money of my own. It's crazy."
The Ministry for Social Policy refused to answer questions about Mr Cini's case saying this went against data protection laws, even though he gave express permission to divulge any details necessary.
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Daniel Mebrahatu
Jul 8th 2009, 23:23
@denis Catania,
what does this story have to do with migrants? pointless and doesnt make sense what you said. 'its better to be stupid and keep your mouth shut, then to talk and remove all the doubts'
I. Galea
Jul 7th 2009, 20:56
Daniel Delia.....sheer ignorance at its best. Kudos to you sir, as your arrogant and self-centered comment left me absolutely dumbfounded. Shame on you for describing this man's contraction of HIV as 'spilling the milk', and insinuating that your 'christian values' are what this man lacks. Grow a heart. and a conscience.
Kevin Chircop
Jul 7th 2009, 20:39
@ R.Gatt.
Can you tell me who makes the laws? Isn't it the parliament? So what's the problem with changing the law to improve social justice? If not, why do we have a government in place?
To all others jumping to conclusions about DVD's in the background etc...
If you had to endure or go through even 1/10 of what Mr.Cini and his family had to go through this last year, I'm sure you would speak differently?
I guess most of us Maltese don't even know that the word 'empathy' exists let alone what it means!
JA OQBRA MBAJJDA
Denis Catania
Jul 7th 2009, 18:20
@R Gatt: You are assuming I'm a PL supporter, simply for the fact that I'm trying to stand up for a fellow Maltese in need during a PN administration. Guess what, you are wrong. I'm a PN supporter, but a Maltese first. Why does it matter to you when Mr.Cini migrated to the UK? Most of my friends left Malta during a PN administration, should this reflect badly on the PN? Why are you stuck in the past? Remember an administration could only put themselves in bad light. Recoeds speak for themselves. When it comes to health the elite and the illegals have it the best. The common Maltese have to stand on very long lines.
Dave Alan Caruana
Jul 7th 2009, 16:40
it's amazing how observant our government is when it comes to data protection ..
R. Gatt
Jul 7th 2009, 13:01
Yes Mr. Denis Catania, shame on the govt. It's always the govt. fault. Anything to make the govt. look bad. I'm sure Joseph would have treated him different. All you PL moaners have to understand that there are rules and laws to abide to. I feel for Mr. Cini even more as I too come from Cospicua even if I don't live there anymore. If those are the laws, those are the laws. Hopefully some changes can be made in the immediate future and Mr. Cini gets all the help he needs. As for the social security he's entitled from Britain, he has to fight it out with them even through our authorities.
Mr. Catania et al what I can't stand are hypocrites like yourselves who would jump at an unfortunate situation like Mr. Cini's in order to put the PN administration in a bad light. I really wonder why Mr. Cini had to leave Malta and go to Britain in the first place. Maybe he was not prepared to work as a teacher here during MLP's regime in the 70ies. You are the doom mongers who are trying to make everyone believe we were better off then.
claire farrugia
Jul 7th 2009, 05:15
Mr Cini, prosit that you had the courage to go out in the media and describe your problems openly. Wish there were more people like you, cause only if people like you speak openly about their problem, can the stigma be reduced that surrounds HIV and certain other diseases and the public be educated about their problems. wish you luck that you get the help that you deserve or at least a job where you can get on with your life inspite of the bad luck you had
Denis Catania
Jul 7th 2009, 04:43
It's a shame when an illegal immigrant in Malta can collect and get help before a disabled Maltese in Malta. Shame on the government.
Moses Mula
Jul 6th 2009, 19:33
To the people making comments about paying taxes in one country and getting benefits from another country, you should remember that there are millions of europeans like here in Sweden that part of their taxes go to the E.U., tax money which then goes to countries like Italy and Malta in the form of contributions. Secondly one has to be a real lowlife to start accusing people with HIV/Aids that it is there fault that they have contracted the disease because of their lifestyle. Too bad diseases like narrow mindness and bigotry are so hard to cure.
Joseph Grech-Attard
Jul 6th 2009, 17:38
Excuse me all those who talk of paying contributions in one country and then expecting it from another. People from the EU who take certain medicines are entitled to free medicines, free hospitalisation,etc in Malta if they live here, (and, naturally, vice-versa)even though they never contributed a penny, sorry, an euro! Besides there are agreements between countries about certain aspects (e.g. double taxation). Why not to a poor man who is disabled because of brain damage? Would we speak the same if he had brain damage because of smoking? Or drinking? Even such diseases are "self-made". The problem with us Maltese is that: Yes, we are racist. The problem is that we hate to admit it because the word is strong. Therefore, Yes,we are hypocrites and Yes, we are un-Christian, although most of us baptise our children, get married in Church, etc and Yes, all is unwell until things happen to us or to our beloveds. Then our attitudes change completely.
Daniel Delia
Jul 6th 2009, 16:27
It’s always the same story. First we spill the milk, like getting HIV positive (or get pregnant), and then cry over it and get a government to take the burden and to provide with social assistance & accommodation.
Well, to all the sympathisers who have a lot of Christian values prepare your pockets as we are going to have many similar cases as a result of many unchristian values and a laissez-faire society.
Rita Portelli
Jul 6th 2009, 16:19
To Edwin Formosa;I find your remarks offensive to say the least. It's not anyone's business how this person got HIV. It's a know fact that Malta has one of Europe's biggest number of Diabetics, for instance; Should the health authorities refuse to treat these people because of how one might have become diabetic?? Or stop treating people with lung problems because they might have smoked?? The subject to be commented upon is supposed to be his need/right to lead an independent life.
Beverley Sciberras
Jul 6th 2009, 15:44
A lot has been said, but the truth is one thing. We are all european citizen now and Mr Cini is entitled to help and social justice. However, I am a Maltese widow pensioner. My son has been unemployed for a long time and the attitude of the government is YOU CAN KEEP HIM. on 430 euros a month the rent on our flat is 235, and thats before the bills come in. All I can ask is when do we eat.......
Mr Cini my heart goes out to you... However there is also a system where the Maltese Government can claim form the British Goverment the taxes you have paid. So you have to make them implement the system, if not then the court of human rights is your last resource.
Good luck. and God Bless
Stephen Farrugia
Jul 6th 2009, 14:36
I'm sorry but I have to agree with C.Zarb. Christian or no christian, munching off a country and paying another one is not allowable. Think about it, Nobody agrees that immigrants be GIVEN money, why should an english person be given money? thats racist... although he's part maltese, he pays england, so he should go to england.
p,piscitelli
Jul 6th 2009, 14:15
i'm very sorry to read this sad story,the way people behave towards this unfortionate person,but this is cathloc malta.anyway i think that mr.cini should insist to get help from u.k cos if he worked a lot in u,k he paid a lot of tax over there ,so i think he has every right for it,wish you luck,
d sullivan
Jul 6th 2009, 13:44
I'm sorry for the guy but are those dvds or playstation games behind him? Is he not living on a shoestring budget!
Deo Catania
Jul 6th 2009, 13:35
First he says he came back to Malta to take care of his elderly mother but at the same time is asking to have a flat of his own so as not to be a burden to her.
Aidan Zammit Lupi
Jul 6th 2009, 13:07
@C.Zarb & malcolm seychell
Your reasoning is warped. The people who benefit most from social services are those who DO NOT pay taxes, simply because they have low or zero income. Those who contribute most to the country's finances also happen to be the ones who make least use of social services.
Mr Cini is a Maltese citizen and resides in Malta. He has previously resided in a EU country. What other "qualifications" does he need to get help?
Did you even read the article? The reasons for Mr Cini's return to Malta are clearly stated.
mariella caruana
Jul 6th 2009, 12:34
my full sympathies for mr cini. a social worker might help him get around the intricacies of social welfare. its the same for uk and australia, since i had the opportunity to fill up forms for maltese immgrants coming back with some form of disability from abroad. the bureaucracy is horrendous.
just for general information, toxoplasmosis is transmitted for ill cat's feaces and usually the healthy individual aborts the infection without any ill-effect. the immunucompromised, such as mr cini will get a very severe infection and cann be very debilitating.
edwin formosa
Jul 6th 2009, 12:28
Sinjuri hemm mard li jigi fuqna , hemm mard li ngibuh fuqna u hemm mard li jghamilna vittmi tal-kapricci, vizzjijiet u certu lifestyle ta haddiehor. Dawn bi dritt, jikkagunaw reazzjonijiet differenti.
Kenneth Galea
Jul 6th 2009, 12:10
@C Zarb
Mr Cini is a Maltese citizen and he is therefore entitled to use the welfare system. He is neither an illegal immigrant nor a non EU national. Those are the rules regardless if someone is healthy or ill.
I think in this country we still have a long way to go to understand HIV and the authorities are simply not doing enough to remove the stigma which exists amongst HIV positive people.
odette longo
Jul 6th 2009, 11:37
@ C.Zarb..... ARE YOU FOR REAL ????
how can you be so unfeeling towards a sick man ?
This man came to malta to care for his father and brother... he wants to stay in Malta and be close to his elderly mum... he wants to be self sufficient and care for himself and not live off his mother. That's a basic human right in my books and I wish him the very best of luck.
Many truly undeserving leeches screw our government for social housing and benefits.... this is a genuine case. He needs help not hindrance.
Perhaps the various disability associations can help in some way.
Christopher Pollard
Jul 6th 2009, 11:27
There has been a European court ruling regarding some disability allowances which may help this man. He should apply to the Exportability Team of the UK's Department for Work and Pensions -
Exportability Team
Warbreck House
Warbreck Hill Road
Blackpool
FY2 0ZE
or email - DCS Exportability Team [EXPORTABILITY.TEAM@DWP.GSI.GOV.UK]
and ask for their assistance.
Good Luck
James Grech
Jul 6th 2009, 11:16
@C.Zarb
In the face of proving ourselves Christians, Mr Zarb talks about rules, regulations and money. This is the real Maltese Christianity. It seems that Malta is little by little loosing all the values for which we were renowned, charity and kindness amongst others. I sympathise with Mr Cini and hope and pray that a solution is found for him to be able to practice his teaching vocation and be able to pull himself up from this misery.
philip pace
Jul 6th 2009, 10:49
Correction to my comment
"Since then I have been trying to re group and focus my life as I live on my own. The bureaucracy is stifling and very slow. I am sure that IF I have a friend as a minister I would have many doors open to me but I have no one that I can rely upon.
I am also sure that if I belong to A political party I would have some sort of help and also as I don't belong to any association I get nothing."
Politicians and their ilk know perfectly well about this small section of the Maltese society but do nothing about as they have to be "faithful" to their political dictact.
They just promise and never deliver as probems like these are very small and get forgotten and swept quickly under the carpet.
There is no real social justice.
Ask people who took care of thier loved ones, who suffered from demetia, parkinson etc?
It took me five meeting with an invaliduty board to get a sort of help for my late brother only to discover some bungling being committed by the Social Security.
They really make it hard for you!
malcolm seychell
Jul 6th 2009, 10:19
John Dalli has nothing to be ashamed.
We cannot keep on giving out social services. If he lived most of the time in the UK and contributed in the UK then it should be the UK government to help him.
Social services should be used for those who contributed to the country.
C.Zarb
Jul 6th 2009, 10:14
So its fair for someone to pay taxes abroad and then pretends all social services (+ a free apartment) in Malta. Great. I feel sorry for him but if you pay taxes in another country then you are entitled for social benefits in that specific country and no where else.
BTW the usual 1 million dollar question, if everything is so terrible in this country why live here?
philip pace
Jul 6th 2009, 10:11
I fully sympathise with Mr.Cini as I can understand him.
I have taken care of my mother and brother who since then both have died and I didn't receive any financial help from the Government. All that I was asked was if my late brother uses a wheelchair to which if I replied yes I would have got some miserable Lm2.00 a week.
Since then I have been trying to re group and focus my life as I live on my own. The bureaucracy is stifling and very slow. I am sure that I have a friend as a minister I would have many doors open to me but I have no one that I can rely upon.
I am also sure that if I belong to no political party I would have some sort of help and also as I don't belong to any association I get nothing.
Just like Mr.Cini there are people out there who simply don't exist but exist when a General Election/Council/Mep comes along.
Malta should be ashamed on the way that it treats it's citizens who have contributed to its welfare.
When shall a serious Government look to this matter closely?
ingrid stafrace
Jul 6th 2009, 09:59
Dear Emmanuel,
The saddest thing in Malta, in relation to unenlightened ways of looking at certain "controversial" circumstances is how convinced and self convincing the Maltese can be that they have every right to be narrow minded and bigoted.
I am regularily left speechless at philosophies i hear from people who I otherwise quite like at the bar i work at. Its the passion with which they convince themselves of certain concepts.
EG : The Maltese are not racist because black women are allowed into bars , so the refusal of black men into bars cannot be racist.
They cannot be homophobic because they 'love' lesbians , so the knee jerk distaste they have for gay men is not homophobia but their god given right to 'protect' themselves.
I could go on but I-only-have-200-words-----Much-strength-to-you-Mr.Cini
My pet hate is the term "i am sorry but ........." (i think like a bigot and I am proud of it'
Much strength to you Mr Cini, i believe there are always a few gems amongst us, usually people who has had the opportunity to study outside of this speck of land.
Sincerely
inka
Kenneth Galea
Jul 6th 2009, 09:46
Hello Mr Cini,
I believe you are having difficulties obtaining your DLA from London because the authorities there tightened up the rules. HIV is no longer classed as a disability and I know of a number of HIV positive guys who had their DLA stopped as a result. However it is down to the doctor to convince the social services at the end of the day.
HIV is not a crime and unfortunately it is still frowned upon in Malta and treated as a taboo. The faults here lie with the government because the law as it is lets employers get away with it. Malta is a liberal country and part of the EU and discriminating a Maltese individual on the basis of his HIV status is wholly unacceptable. John Dalli needs to grow up and open his mind!!!!!!!