MS patient Keywan Nuri (28) wants to go to parliament: “The costs should not be excessive, not even for the disabled.”

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In Switzerland, people with disabilities are underrepresented in politics; they occupy only two of the 200 seats in the National Council. This is despite the fact that approximately 1.7 million people are affected in this country. On October 22, 25 people with disabilities will stand as candidates for the National Council and the Council of States, more than ever before.

The candidates can be found on the Pro Infirmis disabled list. 28-year-old Keywan Nuri from Zurich is one of them. He has multiple sclerosis (MS) with severe fatigue. Making this public was a liberation for him. The fear that he would harm himself has not yet come true. “Most people are more open than you think.” He wants to raise awareness about ‘invisible’ diseases and show the challenges those affected face every day. Nuri’s limitations are not noticeable, even though he suffers from fatigue and persistent pain.

Mr. Nuri, why are you on the disabled list?
It felt good for me to take the step public. I have a clear disability, do not belong to the norm and sometimes have to take a step back in daily life. But it was a difficult decision, I must admit. At first I thought this would stigmatize me, that a future employer would only see me as a disabled person and not as something I could do effectively.

What effect has your coming out, as you call it, had?
After I made my illness public on social media, I received many moving messages and a lot of support. That gave me strength and courage to continue. Getting out helped me shed a burden. Since then I feel freer and I no longer have to pretend. The feeling that you have to prove it to everyone and please everyone has also disappeared since then.

Were you elected because you practice liberal politics or because you practice politics for the disabled?
I am a liberal politician with the chronic disease MS and a migrant background. I have many facets, that’s why people choose me.

Can only people with disabilities make a good disability policy?
No of course not. Only 1.7 million people in Switzerland live with a disability, which is a fifth of society. We are completely under-represented in Parliament.

So concern is enough legitimacy to practice good politics?
You don’t have to have a disability to make a good disability policy. But more experts are needed who have the necessary knowledge to make good policies for those affected. That’s what I stand for. We want to present our position to Parliament so that something can be done.

However, politicians who are not affected also support the concerns of people with disabilities. What allows you to do better?
Direct involvement ensures greater understanding of the matter. You don’t reform the banking sector without consulting economists. No agricultural policy without farmers. There is no criminal law without female lawyers. And we, those affected, have expertise in the disability sector. We know what it is about, what it feels like, we are confronted with it every day. We are the experts, but that doesn’t mean the opinions of others aren’t just as important. And as a liberal I pay attention to the costs; they must be proportionate and not excessive, not even for disabled people.

Rising healthcare costs are a major problem. It sounds contradictory to want to implement disability policy cost-effectively. How should that work?
Specifically, we need to make progress with electronic health records, introduce a requirement for generic medicines, and services without proven effectiveness should no longer be billed to health insurers. This reduces costs considerably. We are fortunate to live in a country with excellent healthcare. We have to take care of this system. It may sound absurd, but people need to recognize and appreciate the value of quality healthcare. This is the only way we can move away from an ‘all you can eat’ mentality and towards sustainable use of this important product.

How barrier-free is Parliament actually? What if, for example, as a person with a disability you have to miss a meeting for health reasons?
The parliament building will continue to be barrier-free through further measures. For example, only recently was the stage area in the National Council Chamber made wheelchair accessible. You must also be able to participate in the meetings online. I would like to use my background to influence further measures.

Would you have been placed on a migration list if it had existed?
No, I feel 100 percent Swiss. Although I have a migrant background and am not ashamed of my roots, I do not define myself by my origins. My friends always say I’m the biggest man alive. I take that as a compliment.

A Bunzli? How?
Because I love walking, am usually punctual, have a high work ethic and, as a Zurich native, love the traditional Sechseläuten. (Laughs)

Finally: How do you estimate your chances of being elected?
My chances for the National Council are small, but a good election result is important. I give a voice to people with chronic and invisible illnesses. We can make a statement. Every contribution to the debate is valuable, regardless of the election outcome. I will do everything I can to achieve the best possible result.

Source:Blick