Alden and Conrad
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.
‘I really celebrated the time that Alden said no, he wasn't coming out with me. I just thought yes, we've done it right, you know, where he is able to actually advocate on behalf of himself.’
Alden, early 40s, has an intellectual disability. Conrad, his advocate, told the Royal Commission, people often wrongly assume Alden can’t communicate or can only communicate through signing. Alden answers ‘yes’ and ‘no’ and uses communication devices. The issue, Conrad said, is his support staff don’t bother with them.
Alden lived at home with his parents until his 20s. They started having health issues and Alden was forced to move into supported accommodation. Initially he lived in a respite group home with people of a similar age.
One time, staff found Alden and another resident, a person from his school, sharing a bed. Despite neither person reporting any distress, staff told the other person’s parents. They blamed Alden and he was ‘labelled a pervert’.
When Alden was living at home, his mum used to send him ‘off down to the shop’ and he would ‘come back by himself’. At day placement, Alden goes outside ‘where there are busy roads … he knows about road safety’.
However, most homes refuse to allow Alden to access the community by himself. Many homes have high fences, but Alden finds ways to climb over them and abscond. One time, he dragged a trampoline to the fence and jumped over.
Conrad doesn’t blame him. ‘I try and put myself in Alden’s shoes … I think I would be very angry, but I think I would give up and give in, and that concerns me.’ Because of Alden’s reputation for absconding he is now ‘locked in’.
For three years, Alden lived independently in a unit with 24-hour support. He wasn’t able to choose his support workers and had no agency. He also was unable to socialise and was frequently lonely. ‘Living by himself is probably not … suitable, because he is a social person.’
Following this, Alden moved to a group living facility. A support worker, who was off-duty, visited the home to collect something and left his children in the car. Alden took the children out of the car and showed them around. The worker accused Alden of attempting to abuse his children. Conrad said the home didn’t reprimand the worker for bringing his children to a worksite, and blamed Alden.
‘[It was] a black mark against him,’ Conrad said. ‘He is not an angel, but he is labelled with all these things that are not his fault.’
Currently, Alden lives in a group home with a number of residents with different behaviours. Alden frequently locks himself in his room and has little opportunity for community access. It is difficult to find an alternative home for Alden as there is limited housing stock.
Conrad is frustrated people don’t pay attention to Alden’s own voice and wishes.
‘Everyone knows me as Alden’s advocate, which is nice, but it’s not nice that Alden needs an advocate and has needed an advocate for 26 years … I don’t think anyone should need someone to be so vocal and involved in their life.’
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.