Pia
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.
Pia has motor neurone disease and uses a wheelchair. She told the Royal Commission she was ‘treated like a prisoner’ in a respite facility.
During her stay she ‘lost over 20 kilos’ because she wasn’t adequately fed. Desperate, she ended up ordering online from a supermarket to deliver ‘food and basic toiletries’.
During her stay, someone from the facility stole money from her. She believes staff were responsible because they knew where her money was kept and when she reported it they questioned her, asking, ‘are you sure you had money?’ She felt she was ‘treated like a child’.
There was an incident in which Pia sustained ‘fractures and a broken toe’ and was admitted to hospital. She said this happened because staff didn’t have training in how to hoist clients.
Pia was at the respite facility for three months during which, she said, ‘her partner wasn’t allowed to show her affection’.
She felt ‘frightened and unsafe’.
‘My mental health deteriorated I ended feeling depressed and isolated being denied my basic human rights.’
Her psychologist rang the manager and told them Pia ‘needed physical contact’ from her partner.
Despite complaining to the respite facility, she said ‘nothing was done’.
Pia believes she should ‘get to live her life to the fullest without being treated like a prisoner by those who are paid to care as a profession’.
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.