Fred
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.
‘Mental health services’ assumption that my condition was purely psychological proved devastating to my life and to those of other people I have known.’
After Fred collapsed at work with fatigue, he became depressed and suicidal.
‘My health completely failed,’ he told the Royal Commission.
Fred lost his strength, forgot things and struggled to understand what was said to him. A psychiatrist told him he had a psychological disability. Fred disagreed.
‘It took me five years, and the assistance of several kind physicians ... to eventually gain the blood tests which indicate that the actual cause of my condition is myositis.’
Myositis is an inflammation of the muscles caused by an autoimmune disease, injury or infection.
‘Despite being completely disabled within a year and a half of my collapse at work, I received almost no financial or physical support throughout the first three years following the collapse.’
The lack of appropriate treatment in that time further damaged Fred’s health. His muscles deteriorated, causing him to walk ‘with an awkward gait’.
‘I was repeatedly escorted by security out of places such as [government service centres] due to the appearance of intoxication the disease induces … [Disability services] interpreted my increasing disability and illness as being faked so that no-one would take me seriously for several years.’
Fred said the oesophageal dysphagia and vomiting associated with myositis caused lung disease.
The NDIS now supports Fred, but he has lost his livelihood and many of his friends.
‘The diagnosis of a serious health condition as being psychosomatic places already vulnerable physically handicapped individuals in completely untenable situations.’
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.