The president of the Pancyprian Association of Parents and Friends of the Pediatric Oncology Unit, Louiza Stefanidou, was outraged after offensive remarks by MEP Pheidias Panayiotou during a podcast featuring para-swimmer Loizos Chrysanthou.
In her post, Ms. Stefanidou emphasized that Mr. Panayiotou’s statements, in which he asked if category S-14 refers to ‘the crazy ones,’ harm individuals with brain tumors, intellectual disabilities, Down syndrome, Asperger’s, ADHD, cerebral palsy, degenerative and neurological diseases, as well as elderly people with Alzheimer’s and those with mental illnesses or dysfunctions.
‘Eugenics! Racist and abusive rhetoric! Dismissive language, disablist that recalls and serves far-right narratives,’ she stated, adding that the entire disability movement and relatives of affected individuals should take legal action. These statements have sparked intense reactions in public discourse.
‘My daughter and people with brain tumors and intellectual disabilities are “crazy”! People with Down syndrome, Asperger’s, ADHD, and many others are “crazy”! People with cerebral palsy who lack verbal communication but not intellectual disability are “crazy”! People with degenerative diseases and neurological disorders are “crazy”! Our parents and grandparents with Alzheimer’s are “crazy”! People with depression, mental illnesses, and dysfunctionality are “crazy”! Eugenics! Racist and abusive rhetoric! Dismissive language, disablist that recalls and serves far-right narratives! We should gather the entire disability movement and the relatives of those who are “CRAZY” to file a collective lawsuit against you!
‘THOSE WHO SUPPORT HIM AREN’T THEY ASHAMED?’
