Yasmina and Evianna
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.
‘On any given day we never know if she will get through seamlessly or if out of nowhere she is going to be ridiculed and teased and made fun of because of the way she was born, the way she looks … just because someone feels it’s okay to make fun of her disability for a cheap laugh.’
Yasmina, pre-teen, has short stature.
Her mother, Evianna, told the Royal Commission the family have done their best to prepare Yasmina for people being curious and looking at her.
They have also made substantial efforts to educate their community, social groups and Yasmina’s peers about her disability.
‘Sadly however, [Yasmina] has often come home extremely upset because she has been teased for her appearance and how she looks when she walks and runs.’
Evianna says the stares and comments have taken a toll on her daughter’s wellbeing and self-esteem.
Yasmina’s passion is competitive sports.
She loves training for and competing in multi-class events, despite knowing she will come last.
Each time she competes at carnivals, children laugh at her, point at her and make rude remarks about her body and how she moves.
At a recent event, almost all the other children competing whispered or snickered about her. One boy pointed and loudly remarked, ‘Hey check that out. Look at her. Look at her body.’
Evianna was chaperoning Yasmina and told the boy to stop being so rude.
He stopped the verbal abuse but continued to point and laugh.
Evianna intervened, more firmly, warning him if he didn’t stop she would report him.
‘For her to experience this public humiliation at the hands of such a rude young boy, to then have to … try to compose herself to [compete] – an experience she should have been so excited for – is so wrong and unfair.’
Evianna tried to remain positive but the comments hurt Yasmina and ‘tainted her day’.
‘Worse still, she was only trying to succeed at something she loves, something she has taken so long to build the courage to participate in, knowing she looks different.’
Evianna believes there needs to be zero tolerance of cruel behaviour.
‘Online joking and mockery of short statured athletes is disgusting. Posting people with dwarfism on social media for entertainment and jokes should have the same consequences as posting racist jokes, offensive religious jokes, inappropriate sexual content, cruelty to animals, and jokes about other disabilities.’
Evianna hopes the ridicule and abuse won’t stop Yasmina living the life she is entitled to live.
‘So much more public education and awareness is required for this minority group … who just want to live their lives like any other ordinary person, not for the entertainment of others … Shitty jokes versus a person’s LIFE!’
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.