Calliope
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.
‘We have put complaints into the NDIS, and it is like speaking to the door. I get more feedback from my door than the NDIS.’
Calliope is a double amputee in her 60s. She has cardiomyopathy and uses a wheelchair.
A few years ago, the NDIS arranged to extend a ramp so Calliope could more safely access her yard.
‘It was just too narrow for the wheelchair,’ Calliope told the Royal Commission, ‘and I come off it and I end up in the hospital with broken hips and femurs and stuff like that.’
Calliope said that, before starting the work, the NDIS sent a plumber to map the drains.
‘He put his head around the corner and I was doing the washing at the time … and he said “I flushed your drains for you”.’
Calliope left the house for some time. When she came home the house was flooded.
‘[But] having no legs I had no idea that the floor was soaked. The carpets were soaked … The house was wrecked, and I didn’t know.’
Calliope said she wasn’t aware until days later when the house ‘started to smell musty’. The NDIS sent a cleaner, who subcontracted the job to someone else.
‘And the only cleaning they did was removing stuff, that’s about it, from my house, and I’m talking about hundreds of thousands of dollars.’
Calliope said the cleaners took her valuables. The council fined her for the rubbish left in her front yard. Calliope said nobody is taking responsibility for the damage.
‘I’m living in hell! The place is filthy and I can't do anything about it. I can’t bring anybody into my home, I’m too embarrassed.’
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.