Marvin
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.
‘It shouldn’t matter who you are or what disability you have, you have a right to have good medical care.’
Marvin is a First Nations man in his 40s. He has a brain injury and dementia.
‘I have been in and out of prison since I was a kid,’ Marvin told the Royal Commission. ‘I haven’t ever really seen a doctor properly about my memory. It’s hard when you are in jail to get all the medical help you need.’
Marvin said his mother was diagnosed with dementia ‘when she was pretty young’.
‘I am going through the same stuff she did.’
Marvin also said he had ‘a lot of trauma to [his] head’ when he was young.
‘I was clipped around the ears a lot … The head injuries over the years and growing up have had an effect on my memory.’
When Marvin was imprisoned several years ago, a blood test showed he had hepatitis C. The doctor prescribed medication, but before he received it he was transferred to another prison.
‘Nothing ever came … I was really confused by this as I thought that it didn’t matter what prison I was at, I would still get the treatment I needed.’
Marvin said he was told only that the treatment was expensive.
‘Sometimes I think to myself, “Is the reason I’m not getting my medication because it costs a lot of money?” And then I think, “Do they know I will forget I need the medication, so that is why I am not getting it?” When I think this, I feel really helpless.’
Marvin said his poor memory was one of the reasons he was in jail.
‘I think that the police feel as though they can treat me differently and not put in the effort I deserve because they know that I will have trouble remembering exactly what has happened.’
After being sent to prison, Marvin said he remembered some things that were ‘different to the story the police told the court’.
‘I feel that my disability has something to do with the treatment I am getting. Because I have trouble remembering things, it is easy for people to take advantage of me.’
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.