Aarti
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.
‘Compassionate parents with disability have the right to also be parents, with some support, as much right as everyone else.’
Aarti, a First Nations woman, has intellectual disability and anxiety.
She lives independently and is able to care for herself and her home.
Aarti told the Royal Commission her disability doesn’t have a ‘huge impact on a daily basis … besides some problem-solving ability issues and heightened anxiety in certain situations’.
A short time ago, Aarti became pregnant.
She said the hospital didn’t have any concerns about her ability to care for her child. But a couple of days after her baby was born, the department of child protection removed him.
‘The department have not been compassionate, to give me the chance to show how capable I really could be as a mother.’
Aarti believes the department is discriminating against her because she has a disability.
‘Nobody has the right to hold a person’s disability against them.’
Aarti is doing everything she can to get her baby back.
She now has an advocate and team of support people.
An occupational therapist helps her navigate and improve family contact visits. Her speech pathologist helps her with her problem-solving skills.
‘She helps me to see the bigger picture in a situation rather than just noticing the small details in what's happening around me.’
She also has someone who helps her budget her money.
Aarti appreciates the support but they can ‘only assist with the mentioned things and can’t overpower the department’.
‘The department have emotionally abused me, and traumatized me, and this needs to stop,’ she said.
‘There needs to be justice for parents like us, to come into human rights. Then these problems will be fixed. Parents need to be provided a chance, just like everyone else.’
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.