Benjamin
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.
Benjamin was seriously injured when the vehicle he was travelling in collided with another car. He acquired multiple disabilities including spinal and nerve damage and ongoing abdominal issues. He also has depression.
At the time of the accident Benjamin was a senior executive in a government agency and married with young children. He went from being a fit and active person who exercised daily to a person who required adjustments and support.
Benjamin told the Royal Commission his employer refused to modify their expectations and ‘behaved poorly’ towards him.
When he returned to work Benjamin informed his supervisor he needed to take longer toilet breaks because of his medication and abdominal issues. However his supervisor didn’t seem to accept this.
‘I have returned to my office to find notes left on my desk and been spoken to for being away from my desk for too long. This is very humiliating.’
His supervisor often verbally abused him. ‘On one occasion I was aggressively threatened with having my pay docked and accused of “trying to avoid work”.’
When Benjamin reported the abuse to the organisation they dismissed it. They said his supervisor told them a different story and without an independent witness there was nothing they could do.
Benjamin’s supervisor also pressured him into signing documents that he didn’t understand. ‘When I asked if I could discuss the documents with my doctor, I was told, “you don’t have to discuss them with your doctor”, and, “if you don’t sign them we can withhold your payments”.’
At one stage it seemed the organisation was trying to be helpful and referred Benjamin to a physiotherapist. During the session, the physiotherapist criticised and berated Benjamin when he couldn’t perform the exercises.
Benjamin spoke to his doctor and discovered the person wasn’t a registered physiotherapist. Several doctors complained to the regulatory body who investigated the person. ‘I believe that my workplace sent me to this person because they would provide favourable reports for the workplace.’
Then Benjamin’s employer restructured the work area. ‘Out of all of the positions in the area – perhaps 60 positions – only my position was made redundant.’
Benjamin has also experienced abuse and discrimination outside the workplace.
Following the accident he needed to modify his home and motor vehicle. ‘The work they did has been very poor, yet I have been charged very high amounts.’ He said the people he hired to do the work were aware of his disability and have taken advantage of the situation.
‘When I reported the poor service I received from the builder to the building company, they simply sided with the builder and became aggressive towards me. This occurred even though I provided them with dozens of photos and assessments from another builder of the poor service.’
Benjamin would like more advocacy services for disabled people, in particular advocates with knowledge of employment and consumer law.
‘My ability to contest these issues is severely and obviously impeded due to my disabilities and medication … As someone who is disabled, it can feel like people are taking advantage of me and being malicious toward 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.