Maxine and Claudia
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.
Maxine is a First Nations woman in her mid-30s. She has an intellectual disability and lives in a remote community.
Her mother, Claudia, told the Royal Commission that when Maxine was a baby, a relative accidentally dropped her.
‘I took her to the clinic here and asked them to scan her head, but they wouldn’t do it. When [Maxine] was three months old her development was slower than other children.’
Maxine developed seizures and doctors diagnosed cerebral palsy. Claudia is sceptical because none of her other children have cerebral palsy.
A few years ago, Claudia moved with Maxine to the capital city to be closer to support programs.
‘There was so much fighting and noise that it was too scary for us to live there,’ she said. ‘I was too worried to let her go to programs by herself. Nobody tried to make me feel comfortable or show me what the programs would be like.’
Claudia said the suburb wasn’t safe for pensioners and people with disability.
‘Family humbug us for money and if we don’t give it to them they threaten to curse our house. In our culture, if your house is cursed, you have to leave that house … people go and sleep at the beach or stay with family, which causes overcrowding.’
Claudia moved back to the community. Maxine feels safer, but there are few support services for people with disability. The local aged care centre provides some services, but Maxine stopped going because there was no-one her age.
‘I know of people who have children with disabilities, but they are quiet about it. I think this is because they are worried their children will be taken away.’
A charity working with First Nations communities now helps Maxine access physiotherapy.
‘I’ve asked for a speech therapist,’ said Claudia, who wants Maxine to learn her family’s language.
Claudia has diabetes and macular degeneration. She’s worried about Maxine’s future.
‘We desperately need help here. We need more services here and more activities and opportunities for children and young people. We need more cultural activities for young people, so they can learn dances and how to hunt.’
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.