Sonja and Isobel

'I can’t even put into words what it’s like to be called a liar by a medical doctor. I mean, it’s utterly devastated me. And it’s utterly devastated my daughter. She’s lost her faith in doctors.’

Isobel has a neurological disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. Her daughter Sonja, early 20s, has a medical condition, selective mutism and also lives with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Isobel’s ex-husband, Sonja’s father, was abusive. ‘Abusive in a way that was life-threatening to both of us,’ Isobel told the Royal Commission.

Isobel said police didn’t help her and every attempt to apply for a restraining order was unsuccessful.

One time, her ex-husband put all of their belongings in a pile in the loungeroom and set fire to them. Isobel grabbed Sonja and managed to get out of the house.

‘He chased us and tried to smash our car and our windows and was sort of ranting and raving that he was going to kill us.’

Isobel drove to the police station and reported the incident. Police told her it was ‘not illegal to burn your own house’.

Isobel and Sonja went into hiding.

At the time, Sonja was about four and had stopped talking. She was often so distressed she would hide under furniture and shake uncontrollably. Therapists told Isobel that Sonja’s exposure to domestic violence had caused behaviours that mimic autism.

Isobel homeschooled Sonja because she couldn’t speak to anyone except Isobel and was easily triggered.

As a teenager, Sonja became ‘extremely lethargic’ and was often unwell.

‘She was bedridden at times, for long periods of time. And she had … very severe heart palpitations where she would just pass out.’

It took several years before doctors were able to diagnose her correctly. ‘It’s quite a frightening disorder because blood doesn’t reach your head.’ Sonja can seem fine, then suddenly can’t see or feel her hands, and loses consciousness.

At 18, Sonja applied for the Disability Support Pension. Despite doctors and specialists providing detailed information about her disability, Centrelink rejected the application.

Isobel helped Sonja appeal the decision. The administrative tribunal overruled Centrelink, agreeing Sonja was eligible for the Disability Support Pension.

‘I thought that was the end of it and she would get her disability support payment, and the next minute I’m getting documentation saying that Centrelink had decided to fight and appeal their decision.’

Centrelink had a team of lawyers, Sonja only had Isobel.

Centrelink demanded an independent psychiatrist assess Sonja.

‘He basically called me a liar,’ Isobel said. ‘That the domestic violence … was a made-up story and [Sonja] didn’t have any of those things.’ The psychiatrist said if Sonja had regular psychiatric sessions and was medicated, ‘she could be fixed’.

Later, a doctor told Isobel the independent psychiatrist has never sided with a patient and is the ‘go-to person for a report that can win in court’. ‘So, he makes an awful lot of money,’ they said.

Sonja lost the appeal.

‘All of her doctors are just in disbelief that this has happened.’

Since then, she has unsuccessfully applied for the Disability Support Pension three times.

Sonja started receiving a JobSeeker payment, which is conditional on her meeting certain work and study obligations.

Isobel said Sonja has been unable to meet the obligations. Centrelink frequently threaten to cut her payments. One time, Sonja ‘had an absolutely massive attack, which landed her in hospital’ for three days.

After six months, Centrelink again demanded Sonja complete a course or they would stop her payment.

‘That has pushed her to the point where she’s wanted to end her life.’

Sonja’s current job agency contact person has been more accommodating. She was ‘horrified’ when she saw all the medical evidence. She is in the process of compiling a report to support Sonja’s application for the Disability Support Pension.