Geraldine and Karina
Content Warning: These stories are about violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation and may include references to suicide or self-harming behaviours. They may contain graphic descriptions and strong language and may be distressing. Some narratives may be about First Nations people who have passed away. If you need support, please see Contact & support.
Geraldine, late 40s, has a genetic syndrome and needs 24/7 support. For most of her life she lived at home with her mother who was her primary carer. When her mother became unwell and could no longer care for Geraldine, her sister Karina became her legal guardian. Karina started looking for a place for Geraldine to live.
Over the next few years Geraldine lived in multiple group homes. She was often turned away because she didn’t have adequate NDIS funding. Karina said the NDIS support coordinator was very inexperienced and didn’t understand the system.
Some homes relinquished care and sent Geraldine to hospital.
Hospital staff could not communicate with Geraldine, and Karina would arrive to find her ‘drugged up and drooling’. Doctors told Karina her sister was violent and should be in a mental health facility.
‘I was bringing in her reports, and trying to get them to understand that when you speak to her, it has to be slow … If you say something too fast, or if she doesn't understand you … then that would cause her to get anxiety, and then she's going to act out.’
One time a group home sent Geraldine to hospital after she was sexually assaulted. Karina asked staff to do some tests but they refused because police had not requested it. Karina had to make a formal complaint to get staff to take the assault seriously.
At one group home, Geraldine went without a shower for more than a week and developed bed sores. At a different home, staff left her in bed in wet soiled sheets. Karina said staff refused to ‘acknowledge that she was a human being’ and failed to check on her.
‘In another home she was held against her will in a hospital bed, and they were putting the rails up and keeping her there for long periods of time, and she was staying in her own urine and faeces.’
At the same group home, staff medicated Geraldine to prevent her from having her period so they did not have to use hygiene products.
Geraldine now has a large NDIS package but this means service providers look at her like a ‘million-dollar baby’.
She lives by herself in supported independent living with 24/7 care. Karina said Geraldine’s ‘thriving’ living on her own.
Geraldine’s NDIS planner wants Geraldine to move into a group home because it will be cheaper. However Karina does not think this is in Geraldine’s best interests, believing she would no longer get the one-on-one care she needs.
‘I would hope that she stays safe. She's got good staff now … they do have more education, so I would hope to see that continue. I would hope the NDIS just don't turn around and say we're not going to fund it anymore and you have to move her into a group home because it's cheaper.’
Disclaimer: This is the story of a person who shared their personal experience with the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability through a submission or private session. The names in this story are pseudonyms. The person who shared this experience was not a witness and their account is not evidence. They did not take an oath or affirmation before providing the story. Nothing in this story constitutes a finding of the Royal Commission. Any views expressed are those of the person who shared their experience, not of the Royal Commission.