Posted by
Christina Steils on
URL: https://www.es-forum.com/My-computer-situation-update-w-recommended-computer-tp2972047p2978872.html
In Sweden, electrohypersensitivity
(EHS)* is an
officially fully recognized functional impairment (i.e., it is not regarded as
a disease, thus no diagnosis* exists; N.B. This is not special for Sweden, the
terms "functional impairment" and "disease" are defined
according to various international documents (see below)). Thus, the first step
for a person in Sweden with a functional impairment is to contact the
municipality’s special civil servant for disability issues, as well as the
various handicap organizations and authorities, to achieve accessability
measures of various types with the sole aim to have an equal life in a society
based on equality (according to the The UN 22 Standard Rules on the
Equalization of Opportunities for People with Disabilities - since 2007
upgraded into The UN Convention on Human Rights for Persons with Functional
Impairments,
http://www.un.org).
[*It’s symptoms are classified as an
occupationally-related symptom-based diagnosis (code ICD-10) by the Nordic
Council of Ministers since 2000. DIVS: 2000:839; ISBN: 92-893-0559-2http://www.nordclass.uu.se/verksam/yrke_s.htm]
Persons with the functional impairment
electrohypersensitivity have their own handicap organization, The Swedish
Association for the Electrohypersensitive (
http://www.feb.se; the website has an English
version). This organization is included in The Swedish Disability Federation
(Handikappförbundens SamarbetsOrgan; HSO;
http://www.hso.se;the site has an English short version). As a consequence of this, The Swedish
Association for the Electrohypersensitive receives an annual governmental
subsidy.
In Sweden, impairments are viewed from the point of
the environment. No human being is in itself impaired, there are instead
shortcomings in the environment that cause the impairment. Thus, it is the
environment that should be “treated”! This environment-related impairment view
means that even though one does not have a scientifically-based complete
explanation for the impairment electrohypersensitivity, and in contrast to
disagreements in the scientific society, the person with
electrohypersensitivity shall always be met in a respectful way and with all
necessary support with the single goal to eliminate the impairment.
An impairment is - by definition - not defined by
someone else or proven by certain tests, etc. The impairment is always personal
(private) and develops when in contact with an inferior environment.
[N.B. Remember that functional impairments are only
based upon each individual’s impaired accessability to - and contact with - an
inferior environment (cf. the UN), thus, there is actually no need for any
“recognition” in local laws (cf. the UN). In Sweden, the former Minister of
Health and Social Affairs, Lars Engqvist - as a member of the previous
government - anyhow gave his “approval” in a letter dated May, 2000
[Regeringskansliet 2000-04-06, Dnr S2000/2158/ST]. He also made it clear in his
response that for EHS persons there are no restrictions or exceptions in the
handicap laws and regulations. Thus, these laws and regulations are to be fully
applied also for EHS persons.]
Treating members of the community equally is not
something that should be done as a favour; nor is it something that any
parliament or government should politely request other inhabitants to provide
others with. Equality is not something to be done “out of the goodness of one’s
heart”. It is something one does because it is expected of every citizen,
because inaccessibility and discrimination are prohibited by law. Thus, it is
not alright to deliberately make your symptoms worse. This implies that the
person with electrohypersensitivity should have the opportunity to live and
work in an electrosanitised environment. To force a person to quit one's
employment or to move from one's home is a serious legal violation.
The electrically hypersensitive must therefore, in
every situation and by all available means, demand respect¸ representation and
power. They shall very clearly reject all approaches which reflect
a mentality
of “feeling pity for them” or “caring for them”. Inaccessibility is not a
personal problem. It is a problem for society. Inaccessibility is not about
attitudes. It is about discrimination. And discriminatory actions and conduct
shall not be dealt with
by well-meaning talk about treatment. Discrimination
is already illegal!
This view can fully be motivated in relation to
national and
international handicap laws and regulations, including the UN
22
Standard Rules/UN Convention and the Swedish Action Plan for
Persons with
Impairments (prop. 1999/2000:79 “Den nationella
handlingplanen för
handikappolitiken – Från patient till medborgare”; Proposition 1999/2000:79,
1999/2000:SoU14). Also, the Human Rights Act in the EU fully applies.
I say, there must be an end to nonchalance, lack of
consideration, indifference and lack of respect on the part of society. Never
accept discriminatory treatment or an insulting special treatment. Stand up for
other’s rights and in this way you’ll stand up for your own future!
I would like to quote the very wise words of Jan
Åberg, a freelance writer in Trollhättan, Sweden, “Everything that happens to
us human beings only happens as long as we accept it”. For how long will your
authorities and their civil servants accept it? Would they demand the same type
of proofs if it was about themselves, their children, mother, father…?
Finally, remember we all must adhere to and follow all
the handicap laws and regulations. To do the opposite is a serious violation
and should immediately be reported/filed as an official legal complaint to your
local authorities, parliament, government, the EU and the UN. This is of
particular importance since Katri Linna, the former Swedish
Diskrimineringsombudsman (=the Equality Ombudsman), clearly states in the
newspaper Sydsvenskan (January 23-26, 2009;
http://sydsvenskan.se/chattarkiv/article408013.ece)
that “electrohypersensitivity is – according to the law – a functional
impairment and I recommend EHS persons that are discriminated to file a
complaint”.
In addition, please, also note the following governmental
documents (in Swedish).
The Swedish Association for the
Electrohypersensitive gets a governmental subsidy as a handicap organization
according to SFS 2000:7 §2 (SFS = The Swedish Governmental Statute-Book)
[Regeringsbeslut 950621 nr. 8, Dnr: S1995/2965].
EHS persons’ right to get disablement
allowances has been settled in the The Swedish Supreme Administrative Court,
i.a. in the judgement
”dom 2003-01-29, mål nr. 6684-2001″.
Here are, in addition, two cases when two
people with EHS - through the
conclusions in courts - getting the right to
support (from the state).
“Kammarrättens i Jönköping dom 2002-05-15 i mål
nr 2644-2001 ang bilstöd till Maria G., född 1966, bl.a. elöverkänslighet.”
“Kammarrättens i Göteborg dom 2007-07-11 i mål
nr 1229-07 ang. bilstöd för SP, född år 1953. (Länsrätten i Göteborgs dom
2007-01-18
i mål nr 1582-06).”
Kindly Translated by Olle Johanson
(Olle Johansson, assoc. prof.
The Experimental Dermatology Unit
Department of Neuroscience
Karolinska Institute
171 77 Stockholm
Sweden
&
Professor
The Royal Institute of Technology
100 44 Stockholm
Sweden)
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