Brendan
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.
Brendan, a veteran, lives with complex post-traumatic stress disorder, severe depression, anxiety, a spinal injury and a mild traumatic brain injury.
His assistance dog, Kami, wears a yellow vest that clearly identifies her as a registered assistance animal.
‘My dog is a piece of medical equipment, you know, she is like a wheelchair.’
On Anzac Day last year, Brendan ordered a car through a ridesharing app. As soon as the driver saw Kami, he told Brendan he couldn’t get in the car. ‘I don’t have to take pets. [The company] said I don’t have to take pets.’
Brendan told the Royal Commission he was shocked that a driver would refuse to take a veteran wearing his medals and his assistance dog on Anzac Day.
‘I did order another vehicle, and he took me to the parade. But when I got home later that day, I felt absolutely worthless.’
Brendan made a complaint to the rideshare company. He felt their response was ‘atrocious’ and ‘indifferent’.
His mental health deteriorated.
‘To be discriminated against based on my military service disabilities on any day is bad, but to be discriminated against on Anzac Day was way too much for me to bear.’
Two weeks later Brendan tried to suicide.
When he was feeling stronger, he messaged the company telling them about his suicide attempt.
A ‘full week’ later, the company sent the police to conduct a welfare check.
‘I’m sorry,’ Brendan said. ‘That’s not a welfare check, that’s ticking a box to say, “Yes, we did that.”’
Since the Anzac Day incident, three rideshare drivers have refused to take him and Kami. ‘Two of the drivers actually told me to leave my dog on the side of the road.’
Each time, the company has failed to deal with his complaint adequately.
Brendan then made a complaint to the state equal opportunity agency.
At mediation, the company said they were sorry it happened but they were not responsible for their drivers who were ‘driver partners’, not employees.
They maintained their drivers were adequately trained.
Two of the drivers have since written letters of apology, but referred to Kami as a pet.
‘They’re still not acknowledging that she’s an assistance dog and she actually has a job to do. The training’s not working.’
Brendan said the company has since changed their app so a person can identify that they have an assistance dog when they book a ride. The company immediately counsels any driver who refuses a ride explaining it’s against the law to do this.
‘Anzac Day caused a wound that got stitched up and was starting to heal, and then each time this happens again the stitches get ripped out, and the wounds festers and gets infected, and gets bigger. And it’s at the point now where I don’t want to leave my house.’
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.