KNPD chairman speaks about persons with disability and sexuality

In an interview with sister newspaper Illum, the Chariman of the National Commission for Persons with Disability (KNPD) Joe Camilleri, said that a disabled person’s life is so medically based, that whilst a person swims for pleasure, a person with disability swims for therapy.

Camilleri adds that the only thing persons with disability have different from other persons is the effect of their own disability: “The needs and wants are still there. Speak to 16-year-olds, they still say they wish they are in a relationship and later on that they want to build a family.”

He says that sex is also part of a relationship: “There are two things which stifle relationships for disabled persons: negative attitude from their families and lack of accessible homes.”

Asked whether disabled couples increase the chances of having disabled children, Camilleri says this idea derives from ignorance: “Disabled persons are not irresponsible. They are aware of their limitations and decisions are taken responsibly. I do not swear for everyone, but many are responsible.”

Camilleri claims there is a “morbid” interest in the sexual life of a disabled person: “I once visited a specialist who asked me how did I manage to sleep with my wife – a question which had nothing to do with my visit. I answered: ‘how do you sleep with your wife?’ … and he never asked again.”

Read the whole interview in Illum's digital edition