JILL CAMPBELL MACKAY meets a man trying to bring canine problems to the fore in Cyprus
IT WOULD be a mistake to automatically assume that the retired expat population of Cyprus consists solely of whingeing wrinklies residing in ‘Club Geriatric’ ghettoes.
True, there are some who conform to the cliché, but the majority of foreign residents are, in truth, a fascinating mix of wit, wisdom, talent and versatility.
All bringe with them a unique history, gleaned from travelling along a huge range of different career paths. We have retired airline pilots, newspaper editors, engineers, doctors, writers, actors, corporate businessmen, bankers, artists, politicians, along with musicians, teachers, policemen, and a sprinkling of retired military personnel. Granted, a few of these in time succumb to ‘Retirement Rage Syndrome’ (RRS) the first tell-tale symptoms being an over-critical approach to the local population, coupled with conversations centred around the daily frustrations at not being able to get things done in the manner they were accustomed to in the UK.
Fortunately the vast majority escape RRS, wholeheartedly embracing their new way of life, and, in many cases, giving time and expertise to raise money and public awareness for their chosen charity.
Norman Thody is one such volunteer. Now retired and living in Coral Bay, he has associated himself with the Paphiakos Animal welfare charity, where he now acts as official spokesman.
It’s a difficult brief, ensuring animal welfare on the island is taken seriously by the authorities, considering the Ministry of Agriculture, which claims responsibility for animal welfare issues, never returns Norman’s telephone calls, ignores his faxes and e-mails, then stoutly denies there is any problem with stray dogs in Cyprus.
How does Norman keep his cool? “I admit that dealing with government officials is tiring, highly labour intensive and, in the end, deeply frustrating; the key to everything is the fact that we are not a charity raising funds for humans: we are in the business of animals and that tends to set us a bit lower down on the popularity list. Animal welfare is not seen as a serious issue, despite the thousands of stray dogs and innumerable cases of animal abuse, to say nothing of the Lanate poisoning issue, so yes, we have our work cut out for us.”
Norman is no stranger to the weird and wonderful ways of politicians; he was the man responsible in 1979 for setting up a charity dedicated to helping people with disabilities in the UK; after 25 years at the helm, the Disabilities Trust is now one of the biggest and most respected charities in Europe, something Norman is justifiably proud of.
“I set this charity up out of sheer necessity, as my son was born with cerebral palsy, then my first wife suffered from multiple sclerosis so that was the prime incentive. Now the charity is a world leader in the care and rehabilitation of people with brain injuries; we also deal with every other type of physical disability, and we have set up some wonderful care homes up and down the UK. The charity also provides care in the community, education, and long-term training; with over 1,300 trained staff working to ensure a better quality of life for the disabled.
“When I first started the charity, a disability was not taken seriously, there was zero support for the disabled and their carers. It was a huge problem that the politicians tried to bury, but with perseverance, some marvellous battles with beaurocrats, and a great deal of lobbying we made it. In the end, if you truly believe in what you are doing, you are rarely beaten. OK, you can be knocked down, but then you get up again and are imbued with even more determination to win your corner.”
Thody said that the levels of care for the disabled in Cyprus were about 40 years behind those in the UK, pointing out the huge problem with the ambulance service.
“With no proper trained paramedics staffing ambulances, the chances of resultant serious brain trauma are high. I am now waiting for a politician to be involved in an accident which requires a speedy transfer to a proper brain trauma unit: only then will this aspect of health care be looked at seriously.”
Now fighting the corner for animal welfare, he is still slightly non-plussed at the attitude of politicians when it comes to the issue.
“The government should unify all the animal charities, put them under the set EU regulations, allow them to speak with one voice. The government should realise that the level of professionalism and experience that resides here in the form of expats is a huge asset, and as an added bonus this unique skill bank comes free of charge, so it’s time to regain the public’s confidence in charities by getting them run correctly with proper financial management, staffed with people who actually know what they are doing.”
Norman is now anticipating what, if any, will be the reaction from the Minister of Agriculture when he delivers to his doorstep over 8,000 protest letters addressed to him by UK residents, all of whom were incensed to hear that Paphiakos would have to close down as the government had not (as promised) found them an alternative site for their shelter.
“I have to admit that despite our accession to the EU the celebrations would have meant so much more if we had achieved even a modicum of rights for our animals other than compulsory micro-chipping and a whole raft of other laws that everyone knows will be impossible to implement.”
