Kailey
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.
Kailey, early 30s, has a vision impairment and post-traumatic stress disorder.
‘I've had a lot of horror stories … and have experienced great trauma, and it's through every aspect of my life.’
Kailey told the Royal Commission she’s ‘suffering still’ and ‘still not being helped’.
Kailey lives in public housing. The drinking water taps have not been maintained for a number of years.
She wanted to make a complaint but didn’t know who to speak to. The only thing she felt she could do was to stop paying rent.
The department of housing threatened to evict her. She said they didn’t ask why she was not paying rent or offer her any support.
Kailey couldn’t get help to find alternative housing. She says there is a lack of consistency and accountability. She is now paying rent and is allowed to stay in the house.
A few years ago, Kailey had a support worker who wasn’t providing the support Kailey needed. Kailey made a complaint to the disability service provider.
‘[The support worker] told me that I caused her undue distress – I'm the person with a disability!’
The support worker made a complaint against Kailey. ‘I was in shock. I thought whoa, where did this come from?’ Kailey said the allegations were ‘concocted’.
Kailey attempted suicide.
Two years passed with no contact with the support worker, when Kailey accidentally texted them. The support worker applied for a personal protection order against her for harassment. They claimed Kailey lived with mental health conditions and was not taking medication. Kailey said this wasn’t true.
Kailey describes the NDIS as ‘a bit degrading’ because she has to beg and beg for funding. She is not allowed to spend her funding on the things she needs.
Prior to the NDIS rollout, Kailey used to go to bowling. She is not able to do this anymore because NDIS will only reimburse her the bowling fees. Kailey does not have capacity to pay the fees upfront, so she misses out.
Kailey is seeking NDIS funding to undertake employment skills training. The NDIS has so far refused this support, having determined she doesn’t have capacity to work.
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.