Disabling lives, stifled voices
It has been four years since I have been living in Manchester, a place I often resisted, sometimes I felt resisted me. I remain proud of my cultural heritage and am irritated by those bent on bad mouthing Malta wherever they go – some in search of the promised land, some disgruntled, others yearning the ‘warm’ embrace of the coloniser – a desire built on little more than allegiance to a football team.
But not all is perfect. The field of disability is one where my country is as cruel as it is stifling and oppressive. The narratives of my disabled friends in Malta remain the same: no voice, physical confinement, inadequate services, discrimination, joblessness, inability to live independently, limited educational opportunities, impending poverty.
The stories of their families are no different: institutional bullying, ignorance and the frustration at seeing their loved ones treated as second-class citizens.
Malta epitomises disablism in its purest form. Disabled people are only marginally visible in the public space, and when they are, only as objects of pity and charity, of subservient gratitude.
When faced with criticism, policymakers and service providers are always quick to retaliate with the usual glass-half-full rhetoric: “Look at what we have achieved rather than what we haven’t”.
Yes, some things have changed, as they should, but what disabled people think of these ‘initiatives’ is never heard, and when they complain, they are ignored or silenced.
But you are hardly surprised, because the voices of disabled people have never mattered, bar for the sporadic charitable pleas in Christmastime. The disabled person creates anxiety, cast into the space of the ‘needy’ and ‘fragile’ – the ‘not quite like others, not quite normal’.
And the body of the disabled person is met by existential unease because many still have no idea how to talk to and be with disabled people, because these realities rarely come together.
How many disabled people roam Malta’s streets as they please? Where are they in supermarkets, university, businesses, bars and buses? This is not due to individual limitations, but to an environment that refuses to include disability physically and attitudinally. Despite all statements of ‘good’ intent, Malta wants to be ‘disability free’.
But this does not surprise me judging by the inability of many to engage with the notion of racial diversity, a country that is as xenophobic as it is racist.
For those who will feel irritated by the comparison, much of the disability movement emerged from and gained strength by linking its cause (oppression) to that of other movements, including the feminist and race movements.
This is exactly what the movement started in the 1980s in the UK – politicise disability – reacting against charity, medicalisation and pathologising, moving instead to a discourse of rights. Disabled people took to the streets, they still do.
I recently read in The Times the satisfaction expressed by the Malta Federation of Organisations of Persons with Disability at the news of the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability.
While this is laudable, what is not mentioned is that Malta is one of the last countries in the world to ratify it. I find it hard to believe that disabled people will be able to seek redress in a country of such impunity, where the culture of redress has never really existed, whether out of fear, or the ingrained knowledge that things won’t change anyway.
Malta struggles with a culture of protest, at least for any cause that is right and does not involve raging bus drivers or racists. Small NGOs still try to beat the odds, but strength comes with numbers, not only the online ones.
Have there been no injustices in Malta? I don’t think so, because my friends’ stories are replete with renditions of daily abuse, in particular the insidious kind of psychological ‘violence’ borne out of ignorance. Or is it the fact that ‘protest’ and ‘disability’ do not go together?
My friend Clifford Portelli recently spoke through The Times about the crisis after the spinal injury unit closed, leaving people without adequate rehabilitation, compromising health and movement. This story had until now gone unheard and undocumented.
The silence following Portelli’s story, though, was what really brought this home. Is the National Council for Persons with Disability following up on this? Why hasn’t there been a single press release from any organisation?
Why has no politician even bothered to issue a statement? I asked Cliff how he felt about all this. He replied: “No one talks to you and they ignore you, you feel a zero, not only me but also other people with spinal injuries. Politicians ignore whatever they want, and then they come crawling at election time”.
I do not write this in the aspiration that Malta will ever become like the UK. But I do believe we have a lot to learn from each other.
A disability movement of disabled people, one with teeth, is urgently needed in Malta – a movement that is independent, inclusive of families, collaborating with partners. We need one that fights and keeps governments in check.
I see glimmers of hope in disabled individuals like Portelli to fight for others, but unless he gathers concerted action without fear, his efforts will remain limited.
Politicians and citizens need to wake up to the idea of disabled people as consumers, partners, voters, citizens with rights.
Shaun Grech is a research fellow at the Research Institute for Health and Social Change, Manchester Metropolitan University.
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Gordon Cardona
Nov 13th 2012, 20:38
3.2/7But I came to appreciate that people with other impairments, including deaf people, those with intellectual impairments and even people with mental health issues are part of the disabled struggle.
Gordon Cardona
Nov 13th 2012, 20:13
7.2 IF by a ‘push over’, one is implying that I oppose those who sow the seeds of division and needless enmity, or want to divide us across impairment groups. If by a ‘push over’, one is implying that I trust more in dialogue and truth - then so be it. I have my deficiencies, yes, but I try to do my part to change things.
Gordon Cardona
Nov 13th 2012, 20:09
7/7 I am sorry for my long reply but I felt I needed to explain myself for I have also been accused of being a ‘push over’
Gordon Cardona
Nov 13th 2012, 20:04
5/7 I am physically and visually impaired but I identify as a disabled person. For what affects my friend with an intellectual impairment, for example, affects me. And I try to do my best to make sure not to fall into the temptation of locking myself in my own comfort zone as I have been accused of doing.
Gordon Cardona
Nov 13th 2012, 20:03
4/7 Unfortunately, we are divided in Malta because we all want to defend OUR issues and OUR rights.While it’s good for us to defend, say, our right to independent living as people with mobility impairments, I suspect we may be less ready to support this same right for people with an intellectual impairment. As if we have separate rights.
Gordon Cardona
Nov 13th 2012, 20:02
3/7 I agree that disabled people, like myself, need to join forces. That means sticking together on equality even if it concerns impairment groups that we may feel distant from. As a physically and visually impaired person, access might be an issue. But I came to appreciate that people with other impairments, including deaf people, those with intellectual impairments and even people with mental h
Gordon Cardona
Nov 13th 2012, 20:00
2/7 And I’m not implying that we should pat ourselves on the back and remain silent and be only willing to protest when injustice knocks at our doorstep. We must be pro-active and, yes, vocal, about our issues. But with that comes a certain degree of responsibility. For, whether we want it or not, whatever we say on behalf of disabled people will, inevitably, reflect on all of us.
Gordon Cardona
Nov 13th 2012, 19:59
1/7 I regret I don’t have neither the time nor energy to engage in a protracted exchange. To make a thing clear, I never said that Shaun’s article didn’t raise valid points. However, I tried to point out that while discrimination and abuse exist, one must also be fair and admit that progress has been made.
Andrew Azzopardi
Nov 13th 2012, 08:19
....2/2 meta verament ikun hemm access ghall-edukazzjoni post-sek. u terzjarja - meta jkollna centri tat-tahrig sura ta’ nies bi programmi organizzati - meta ntejjbu l-kwalita’ ta’ servizz li pwd qed jiehdu fir-residenzi - meta jkollna sistema ta’ complaints fi hdan il-KNPD li tista’ tadvoka ghan-nom tal-persuni b’ dizabilita - meta nirrevedu l-penzjoni tal-pwd-u nista' nkompli....
Oliver Scicluna
Nov 12th 2012, 17:43
Many has been said in these threads, this article is written on true facts. Dr Grech has been away from the country but I am sure that he is in very good contact with people who faces barriers. Yes barriers in Malta a European Country which seeks the way to be at least up to standard. I do not except anyone feeling great about what has been done because it is never enough we have to look back.
Michael Debattista
Nov 12th 2012, 13:37
<Cont. from comment 2> Moreover, negative attitudes towards disabled people are still prevalent, thereby explaining for instance the tendency for disabled people to find it harder in forming or maintaining an intimate relationship. In short, disabled people in Malta are still at a distinct disadvantage! Better inclusion would be of benefit to Malta as a whole…”
Michael Debattista
Nov 12th 2012, 13:08
<Cont. from comment 2> Moreover, negative attitudes towards disabled people are still prevalent, thereby explaining for instance the tendency for disabled people to find it harder in forming or maintaining an intimate relationship. In short, disabled people in Malta are still at a distinct disadvantage! Better inclusion would be beneficial to Malta as a whole...
Michael Debattista
Nov 12th 2012, 13:05
<Cont from comment 1> Even though we have LSAs and other means to include disabled children and young people, the current education system still has an over-representation by disabled people who do not pursue post-secondary or even tertiary education. Indeed, there are some people in the formal education sector who still believe that disabled children should be segregated!
Michael Debattista
Nov 12th 2012, 13:01
Whilst acknowledging that lots have been made in including disabled persons in the last decade, we should not rest on our laurels: There are still much more to be done. Poor design of buildings and kerbs are still affecting a wide bnad of disabled people to start with. Notwithstanding the existing legislation, phenomena such as discrimination of disabled people by employers still exist.<CONT>
Gordon Cardona
Nov 12th 2012, 11:45
CONT>I don't want to appear as an apologist. I expect my equal rights to be respected and that changes should take place where there are deficiencies. However, we're living in times of hard economic realities and must understand that the change sometimes has to be gradual if it is to be achieved.
Gordon Cardona
Nov 12th 2012, 11:32
I agree that there's still much to be done in terms of access to pavements and streets. I also agree that we can't say that we have achieved equality. But, what I can say is that we now have an accessible public transport and new buildings are required to conform to access standards. More disabled children than ever are in education and moving to employment. CONT>
Clifford Portelli
Nov 12th 2012, 15:41
where's the accessible transport.. surely i'm not going on a bus from an accessible pavements let's say in Paola ,,when i don't know if the pavement at the other end of the trip will be accessible... moreover half their ramps don't work - it was on timesofmalta whi;le ago too.
Clifford Portelli
Nov 12th 2012, 15:44
a friend went to catch accessible bus after hours waiting he called transpoirtmalta and the replied by saying, that us disabled have to call customarecare before going on stage so that they'll know to send an accessible working bus
Andrew Azzopardi
Nov 12th 2012, 10:28
Hemm hafna issues fondamentali li nistghu naghrfuhom biss jekk npoggu widnejna mal-art u nisimghu n-narrativi tal-persuni b’ dizabilita’ u l-familji taghhom.
Ejjew nghiduha kif inhi , c-cansijiet li xi haga jinbidel ghax sempliciment issa ir-ratifika nahseb inkunu qed nittamaw wisq!
inharsu harsa madwarna kif qal Cliff u nindunaw li saru tibdiliet imma half baked...
Clifford Portelli
Nov 12th 2012, 10:09
I contacted the healt minister and asked regarding closing of Spinal Unit, the improper rehab patients with SCI are offered today.. I asked why the gov stopped sending people abroad for rehab and no replies were ever received.. however a spokes person for the ministry replied .. with ignorance http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20121015/local/-We-need-more-help-than-Malta-s-hospitals-can-g
Clifford Portelli
Nov 12th 2012, 09:03
cuntinuing with my previos comment...
Dear Gordon
Disabilty Pensions need to be emmended, .........Direct payment to cover costing of which come with disability need to be introduced only then we can consider our lives equal to other non disabled persons in society.
health services lets not go there........I have been with the same leg bag for weeks because lack of budgets in MaterDei supplies
Clifford Portelli
Nov 12th 2012, 10:01
Gordon
As you know I work, for the past months it happened to me twice that I hAD to go off from work because my leg bag leaked and got ripped becaus its's low quality. This also happened to me at a wedding and at a social outing were I was forced to leave the place.
Clifford Portelli
Nov 12th 2012, 08:54
Dear Gordon,
I am not going to quote no policy nor praise no work that's been done because the issue is the we are no Equal although the Equal Opportunities Act is in force...
I think you do go out and about in the streets and like many can't get access to public places or basic facilities.
Naming a few: Shops, Countless ATM's, ALL Public Toilets, Public Transport, Pavements, Disabilty Pensions
Gordon Cardona
Nov 11th 2012, 22:26
Dear Sean, I assure you that I am not denying that provlems exist and that disable people are still underrepresented according to NSO 2005. However, I have an issue with the fact that your picture is, at best, imbalanced. And I didn't criticise the fact that we lack a true dpO in Malta but, at the same time, don't want our struggle to be taken over by professionals as it is up to us to speak out!e
S Grech
Nov 12th 2012, 09:47
In no way am I insinuating that it should. Please read the article well and then comment. I speak about a movement OF disabled people consistently. Imbalanced? not to many others it seems. To even 'vouch that we are being included in all areas' as you do, is frivolous as it is dangerous. Criticism is healthy, so please do not use the 'glass half full' argument as I called it in the article. (cont
S Grech
Nov 12th 2012, 09:51
In no way am I insinuating that it should. Have you read the article at all? I speak about a movement OF disabled people. Imbalanced? not to many others who do not belong to an institution. To even 'vouch that we are being included in all areas' as you do, is frivolous as it is dangerous. Criticism is healthy, but please do not use the 'glass half full' argument too. (cont)
S Grech
Nov 12th 2012, 10:11
(cont) and you speak about a 'discourse of cooperation' and the push out everyone, especially those who disagree? I see the cooperation highy unlikely from happening with your attitude. All is good with having policies- doesn't mean they are fulfilled or that disabled people are even heard- look at the other responses here. I believe in vocal COALITIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS for change- seems you dont.
Oliver Scicluna
Nov 12th 2012, 17:53
Gordon so you came down to most of the things the article says. if you feel that you struggle it means that we need to join up and understand the problem. Then we need to tackle it as one. I am spina bifida Gordon, I live freely, I have nearly enough what I want in my life. But that does not matter at all my comfort does not reflect to most of the people who has a disability in Malta
Gordon Cardona
Nov 11th 2012, 18:43
It's indeed unfortunate that disablism still exists but this can only be addressed through inclusion and equality legislation. However, while we,, disabled people, should be always on the forefront of discussions on issues related to our life, we should employ what I term "a discourse of cooperation": http://gdzone.gordongd.com/2012/05/towards-discourse-of-cooperation-not.html
S Grech
Nov 11th 2012, 20:33
Thank you Gordon for your valuable feedback- I appreciate it. But, you may have done selective reading. A) I do indeed recognise there have been positive changes: 'Yes, some things have changed, as they should' B). 30 years ago- the barrage of emails I received very much attest to the contrary C) this is not about 'not giving credit'- it is about asking for rights to be adhered to..(cont)
S Grech
Nov 11th 2012, 20:38
(cont) and C. Discourse of cooperation: read third paragraph from the end: 'a movement that is independent, inclusive of families, collaborating with partners'. As a disability studies academic and activist, one thing that never slips out of the discourse is the oppression faced-and that while accomplishments are made and recognised, the struggle doesn't stop, and neither should the demands.
Gordon Cardona
Nov 11th 2012, 18:17
>Cont.>included in education, employment and other areas already covered by our Equal Opportunities Act (cap. 413). Disabled people are also being supported to live independently within the community with adequate support.
Thus, while we do well to raise awareness and complain where appropriate, it is both untrue and misleading to omit from giving credit where it's due. <Cont.>
Gordon Cardona
Nov 11th 2012, 18:10
As a disabled person myself, I agree that there's still to be done in the area of disability. I also agree that more disabled people should speak up for themselves as a united front. Having said that, the author's assessment might have been appropriate for 30 years ago or to the late 90s but, from personal experience, I can vouch that we are being included in all areas, including education (CONT)>
Clifford Portelli
Nov 11th 2012, 13:17
Well done Shaun. We need much more action, this article hits many points that for unknown reasons keep getting ignored.
Disabled persons themselves need to be consulted as well as being involved when decisions which involve them are taken.
Realities in daily lives of Disabled Persons is much more different than that those depicted on Medias and showing wrong ideas in the mainstream
Gerry Cowie
Nov 11th 2012, 10:43
One other thing we need to fight against is those abortionists who would seek to prevent the birth of disabled or potentially disabled people just to suit their own agendae. Everybody has the right to life and there is more than enough proof that having a disability does not necessarily mean inability. If disabled or otherwise are not allowed to be born there is not much hope for humanity!
Shaun Mc Carthy
Nov 11th 2012, 16:41
Malta has everything at its disposel to allow for adequate consideration towards disabled people . What it has not got is the desire to enforce the laws which exist i.e. disabled car spaces occupied by car without Blue stickers are never given a ticket and if you point it out to a warden they want to ignore it or you report the car number to the Police where even less will happen .
Please choose the reason of your report below: