Konstantinos Konstantinidis – Amphiktyon
These are problems that a young person would probably consider insignificant, perhaps even ridiculous. Yet for us elderly people, they are almost insurmountable daily challenges that fill us with anxiety and fear.
On the morning of July 1st, at 9:30 a.m., the electricity in our home was suddenly disconnected. Our landline telephone, laptop, lights, and all electrical appliances stopped working. I checked the electrical panel of our apartment building and realized that the problem did not affect the entire building but only our apartment. I assumed that an electricity bill had never reached me and had therefore remained unpaid.
I telephoned the electricity provider, who confirmed that this was indeed the reason for the disconnection. I pleaded with them to reconnect the service immediately so that I could pay the outstanding amount without delay. However, they informed me that the company’s procedures did not allow this. I explained that I was unable to make a bank transfer using my mobile phone because I do not know how to use such applications.
Their response was that I should go to the nearest mini-market, where someone could help me. I explained that I am 98 years old and that I am also the caregiver of my wife, who has a 97% disability, is confined to a wheelchair, and requires constant care. It was impossible for me to leave her alone and go to the store. Nevertheless, they remained inflexible. I told them that, apparently, company procedures take precedence over human beings, especially over people with disabilities.
Since my children live far away, I thought of an exceptional young man, Dimitris R., who has always stood by us whenever we needed help. I called him, and despite leaving his work, he arrived at 11:00 a.m. and used his mobile phone to complete the bank transfer to the electricity provider.
I then asked when our electricity would be restored. I was told that the provider had already notified the department responsible for reconnections and that, from that point on, I should communicate directly with that service. They assured me that power would be restored within two to three hours.
I immediately contacted the responsible department and pleaded for priority treatment, explaining that there was a person with a severe disability and serious health problems in the house. Unfortunately, they showed no compassion whatsoever. The only response I repeatedly received was, “The electricity will be back within an hour.” The desperate phone calls made by both my wife and me produced no result.
Later that afternoon, my son called me from the United States. When he learned that we were still without electricity, he became deeply concerned, knowing his mother’s condition. He also contacted the responsible department, but his intervention proved equally unsuccessful. He was genuinely astonished by the way public services operate in Greece compared with their counterparts in the United States.
Finally, our electricity was restored at 6:00 p.m., after eight and a half hours of hardship, anxiety, and waiting.
I cannot help wondering whether the same delay would have occurred under different circumstances, or whether others might have received faster service. What truly matters, however, is that no one took into consideration that this household consisted of two very elderly people, one of whom is living with a severe disability.
This is the daily reality faced by many senior citizens.
I address these words to the Prime Minister, the competent Ministers, and the leaders of all political parties. Hardly anyone speaks seriously about the problems elderly people face as society has been thrust into the digital age without first providing them with the necessary education and training.
During the 1980s and the years that followed, substantial European funds were allocated to educate citizens in the use of new technologies. Unfortunately, those opportunities were not properly utilized. As a result, thousands of elderly people today are unable to carry out even the simplest transactions independently and must rely on the assistance of others.
Now, everyone asks for our vote.
But does anyone truly deserve it?
Amphiktyon (Konstantinos Konstantinidis)
Retired Lieutenant General
Author – Member of the Hellenic Literary Society
Amphiktyon Blog: http://www.amphiktyon.blogspot.com
Amphiktyon Official Site: http://www.amphiktyon.org