Carla
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 may need support with areas of our lives, but it is still our life.’
Carla has had an acquired brain injury since childhood. She is legally blind, needs help to walk and has a cognitive disability.
‘I am mostly non-verbal and communicate using an iPad. I say words. I also make a lot of involuntary sounds that I cannot control. I need assistance in all areas of my life.’
Carla’s in her 30s and lives in her own home, supported by an NDIS-funded team that helps her move and communicate. The public trustee helps manage her finances.
She described to the Royal Commission ways in which she feels the NDIS and the public trustee are taking control of her life away from her.
‘[It] makes me feel afraid for my future and also feel like I am being abused by people misusing their power over my life.’
Carla explained how her support workers read her emails and documents to her. She discusses with them the best reply and tells them what to write. They then type her reply.
‘I have a special stamp that I use for my signature. The NDIS have said they will not accept my signature and that I must have a nominee. I do not want a nominee … It takes a long time and I need support to communicate my decisions, but I can make my decisions. I want the NDIS to communicate with me, not someone else.’
Carla is also worried about the public trustee’s lack of communication with her. She said the trustee had agreed to reimburse her for some minor repairs and other work on her house, but the money was not paid. They have stopped responding to emails.
‘I feel like they are using their power over me and I do not even understand why. I feel people under a financial management order still should get a say in who is managing their money. And be treated with dignity and respect.’
She said the NDIS and the public trustee need to be more transparent and considerate.
‘They need to adjust their processes to support each of their clients in the way that client needs.’
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.