India and Farah
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.
India has distinctive physical features and is small for her age as a result of a rare genetic condition.
When she was in her teens she needed to have some small operations at a children’s hospital.
Her mother Farah said that one time, while India was prepped and waiting for surgery, ‘one of the operating surgeons approached her and said straight off the bat, “So, do you go to a special school?”’
Farah told the Royal Commission she and India were gobsmacked.
‘What a way to approach someone, anyone, let alone a person who was about to trust you with their life ... Not that it matters, but, as it stands, my daughter obtained an almost perfect score in year 12 and is currently studying for a PhD.’
Farah said another incident occurred at the same hospital when India was in her mid-teens. A different surgeon was examining her. She was naked and vulnerable when he loudly observed to Farah, ‘I’m not sure she has normal breast development’.
‘[India] cringed … what a crushing situation for her at such an impressionable age,’ Farah said. She couldn’t believe that these ‘elite, trained surgeons’ didn’t understand that words matter.
‘[India] has already entered this world with the odds stacked against her and the doctors purporting to care for her, who we are meant to trust, are doing their darnedest to undermine her.’
Farah wants to know why these doctors are working in major teaching hospitals without knowing their words matter.
‘Words count almost as much as medical procedure.’
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.