Solomon and Troy
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.
‘My son is traumatised, his siblings have suffered, his mother and I are traumatised. I am being treated for PTSD and depression as a result. I am exhausted and can hardly fight anymore.’
Troy wrote to the Royal Commission about the treatment of his son Solomon, a First Nations man, in supported independent living.
Solomon lived with his parents until he was 20. A series of family tragedies occurred placing an enormous burden on Troy and his wife, who were also supporting their four other children through trauma and loss. They had to relinquish care of Solomon.
‘Our whole life revolved around Solomon and his needs. The litany of checks and balances of government regulations [meant] that if his siblings worked to full capacity we would lose our housing subsidy.
‘It was a hopeless cycle. Basically we had to move him out to allow my kids to have a working life.’
Solomon moved in to group accommodation, but there have been problems with the provider.
‘My son, I reckon, has less rights than a criminal. The NDIS has resulted in a lower standard of conduct by providers and more trauma for my son and me. It is totally disgusting.’
The organisation refused to apply reasonable adjustments to safeguard Solomon, such as putting child locks on doors when travelling in the car, or locking the front door of the house. ‘They simply said would not do it,’ Troy said.
Staff failed to monitor or intercede in Solomon’s excessive eating, which saw his health decline and his weight balloon.
The organisation also demanded payment for damage to property they should never have allowed Solomon near.
Troy said Solomon is now expected to pay for $20,000 in damages, which is 75 per cent of his pension. This is despite the organisation getting around $460,000 a year to look after him.
‘Under the old ADHC [Ageing, Disability and Home Care] model he would have never have to pay for this. As a result of the NDIS disabled people have less rights then they once had.’
Troy has shared his concerns with his local member of parliament and other agencies, but he believes ‘no-one can do anything because the laws are flawed’.
Troy would like to see changes to legislation implemented so ‘the NDIS should result in more rights [for] the disabled. Not less.’
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.