Camden
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.
Camden is a First Nations man in his 50s. He developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from having undergone 11 medical procedures over the last 12 years, including knee replacement and shoulder reconstruction surgeries.
Camden told the Royal Commission that he has ‘lived not an amazing life’. He worked at various trades after leaving school. ‘[I] met a girl, had a child, separated, the normal things … in life,’ he said.
With a child to support and hoping for a stable job, he joined the public service as a driver assessor. But over the course of a year, ‘racial taunting, harassment … and bullying’ became a staple of Camden’s daily work life.
Camden asked management for assistance, but help ‘was not available’. A manager then told Camden that clients had made complaints about him. He was said to have sworn at someone and made a girl cry during her test. He was able to explain those incidents, but ‘was very confused’ and felt singled out as not being suitable to be in the public service. ‘I … was going through a complete mental breakdown.’
Camden’s doctor gave him a medical certificate to take some time off work, but his supervisor kept contacting him. He insisted Camden should return to work as there was nothing wrong with him, ignoring the medical certificate.
Camden says that he has had anxiety, panic attacks and bowel problems since a meeting about his workplace performance. He has had endoscopies and is on nine medications to manage the anxiety and panic attacks.
When Camden’s sick leave ran out, he made a workplace injury claim. He received some monies, but soon realised they would barely cover his bills. A free financial counselling service told Camden that, as a former public servant, he might be entitled to disability insurance through his superannuation. Camden applied.
‘The insurer replied that … I hadn't proved … I had a disability and I wasn't able to access any of it.’
Camden approached a lawyer for help with the insurance claim and was told he needed a new psychiatric report. However, this would cost $5,000 which Camden couldn’t afford.
Camden cannot understand why he was denied insurance though his superannuation because he couldn’t prove he had disability, yet qualified for a full disability pension with Centrelink.
He finds dealing with government systems challenging, particularly trying to contact someone in a government agency for help and having his queries followed up.
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.