The remarks made by journalist Dimitris Oikonomou on the morning show he hosts on SKAI sparked an uproar and strong reactions, as he stated that «it might be better to be dead than to be in a wheelchair from morning till night. Homer. I say this with great love for these people.».
This statement, which was made during a discussion on traffic accidents and their consequences, was described as extremely racist and ableist, prompting an immediate reaction from our fellow countrywoman Korina Theodorakaki, a person with a mobility disability and a former journalist, who responded with a scathing post.
«I am not a hostage to my wheelchair, but to a government that isn't doing what it should»
«Better dead than in a wheelchair.» That’s what this giant of journalism, the illiterate Dimitris Oikonomou, says.
In reality, they are two illiterate, stupid people who radiate pure hatred.
For many snorers pic.twitter.com/lxCoL2HDfk
— Manolis Mavrantonakis (@SykoFantiS) March 10, 2025
In her post, Korina Theodorakaki, refutes with anger and indignation Oikonomou's appointment, emphasizing that she herself She has been living with a disability for 20 years, works, is active in the labor movement, maintains a social life, and is not a “hostage” to her condition, as the journalist claimed.
«By their logic, I should have died,» he notes, adding that the The real form of captivity for people with disabilities is not the wheelchair, but the government’s indifference and the racist attitudes of a segment of society.
He also wonders What message does this particular stance convey? to the parents of children who were killed in traffic accidents or to those who survived but now live with a disability.
A challenge issued on the air during the show—Will Oikonomou accept it?;
In a particularly bold move, Theodorakaki She openly challenges Dimitris Oikonomou to invite her onto his show, in order to discuss on the air the if «it would be better if the disabled were dead».
In fact, she herself, calls on the ESIEA (Journalists' Union) to intervene, emphasizing that such racist and ableist statements they cannot go unpunished and how journalists who express such views should be subject to strict penalties.
Her Facebook post:
Fortunately, we—people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users—are loved by the journalist(?) Dimitris Oikonomou, assisted by Akis Pavlopoulos, who also loves us—otherwise, he’d have thrown us into the abyss.
Today, on their show, they both “painted a picture.” Specifically, in reference to traffic accidents, Oikonomou said, word for word: «Beyond the dead, dozens or even hundreds of disabled people will spend their lives in a wheelchair. Imagine yourself in a wheelchair—perhaps it’s better to be dead than to be in a wheelchair from morning till night. Homer. I say this with great love for these people.».
Do they hear what they’re saying? What do they say to people who use wheelchairs, as well as to the parents of children who have died and are no longer in wheelchairs?;
With their incomprehensible logic, they tell me it would have been better if I had died rather than spend 20 years in a wheelchair, working, be active in the labor movement, have friends, be with my loved ones, enjoy myself, and LIVE.
I want to let them know and assure them that it’s better that I didn’t die. And that I am not a “hostage” to my wheelchair, but rather to a state that isn’t doing what it should be doing for us and to the ableist/racist mindset of a segment of society.
I have to tell them that it’s better that I retired from journalism before they and their ilk killed it off.
And I would also like to say to the ESIEA that such racist and ableist attitudes should be punished—and severely, at that.
Finally, I would like to inform Mr. Oikonomou that I am available to discuss on his show whether people with disabilities would be better off dead…
Dimitris Oikonomou's Response
In fact, early Monday afternoon, the journalist and host at SKAI He posted a message regarding his statements, in which he said: «Regarding the discussion we had today on the show about traffic accidents, I would like to make it absolutely clear that I have the utmost respect for people with disabilities.».
«If I’ve upset anyone, I apologize, and under no circumstances would I ever say the things they’re attributing to me. Besides, that becomes clear if you look at the entire conversation.».
Regarding the discussion we had today on the show about traffic accidents, I would like to make it absolutely clear that I have the utmost respect for people with disabilities
If I have upset anyone, I apologize, and under no circumstances would I ever say the things they are attributing to me
Besides, it becomes clear if one looks at…— Dimitris Oikonomou (@dimoikonomu) March 10, 2025
