Blaine and Melani
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 brother has suffered all his life from people who think they can bully him, and it is time it stopped.’
Melani told the Royal Commission that her brother Blaine is being bullied by his new neighbours.
Blaine has epilepsy, is hard of hearing and vision impaired.
Blaine’s parents bought him a mobile home site, next door to their site, 30 years ago. His caravan had to be placed at an angle on the block because at the time the caravan park management refused to move a power box and a tree.
The front entrance was not very accessible so Blaine added some undercover back steps. He installed a special lock on the back door so emergency services could access the van when he had seizures.
A couple of years ago – Blaine’s parents no longer lived next door – council surveyed the block and moved the boundaries. Melanie said they reassured Blaine that ‘the back steps were on his site’.
Blaine’s new neighbours want to build a shed. They told Blaine he needed to move his back stairs and hot water service because they are on their land.
Melani felt the neighbours were being unreasonable and lodged a complaint with the caravan park management and the council.
But before the matter could be resolved the neighbour removed the steps. They also disconnected Blaine’s air conditioner and lodged a complaint with the council to restrict his use of the unit during winter.
Blaine has recently had cancer surgery and needs to be able to use the air conditioner to control the temperature in his home.
The neighbour also moved the power box up beside the wall of Blaine’s van. Melanie said this is a fire risk because Blaine has an oxygen unit in the van. ‘No-one cares about that,’ Melani said.
The caravan park management has sided with the neighbours. ‘[They have] no care for my brother’s wellbeing at all.’
Melani provided letters from Blain’s doctors and the support animal association, and can’t understand why the council and park management aren’t being more considerate. She feels they should have to consider the health and safety of people with disability who live in caravan parks.
Melani has tried to get Blaine legal help but it is too expensive. Government departments and politicians haven’t returned her calls and emails.
A human rights commission officer told her he had ‘never dealt with a more disgusting case’. But he wasn’t able to help because the park management refused mediation and Blaine can’t afford to go to court.
‘These people who bully people with disabilities need to be made accountable without the financial burden on the one with the disability.’
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.