Carlo and Analia
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.
‘There should be rights for people who live in supported accommodation … There's nothing in law to say what the protections are … Service providers are able to just move people around and do what they like.’
Analia, early 50s, lives with chronic depression. She is a full-time carer for her brother, Carlo, who has cerebral palsy, diabetes and schizophrenia.
Analia told the Royal Commission that Carlo’s dream was to have a ‘home for himself’ and not to have to live with her or their parents. For about 10 years he lived happily in supported accommodation with two other men.
‘They were like their own little family,’ Analia said. ‘They would do things for each other. Like the other person had a motorised scooter, so he would do the shopping while [Carlo] would hang out the washing.’
Then, about five years ago at a routine meeting, the house manager told the men the provider was breaking up the house and moving them to other accommodation. The two men who had recently turned 65 would move into an aged care facility and Carlo would move to another house.
Carlo, who’d been unwell, was very upset. He told the house manager he did not want to move and ‘did not want to separate’.
He immediately contacted Analia, who contacted the provider. They told her the decision had been made and there was nothing she could do.
Analia contacted the health complaints commission, telling them any move would seriously jeopardise Carlo’s mental and physical health.
The commission ordered the provider to consult Carlo. As a result, Carlo was allowed to stay in the house until they found suitable accommodation.
‘The chief executive, it felt like she didn't even really understand [Carlo] or his circumstances or his disabilities,’ Analia said, ‘even though he had been a client of that service for 10 years. She seemed to not even understand that he had cerebral palsy.’
Carlo’s health deteriorated.
He could no longer cook for himself and bought biscuits, chips and pet food to eat. He became confused and stopped taking his medication regularly. He also became increasingly paranoid, not wanting to leave his home.
Analia met with a new provider who was ‘supposed to be all amazing and have lots of programs’, but ‘they didn’t do anything’.
The new provider was only concerned with ‘housing people’ and was ‘out of touch’ with Carlo’s needs. The provider placed him in homes with other residents who had violent behaviours. One man ‘dominated’ Carlos, forcing him to stay in his room. The home hadn’t been modified for a person with physical disability. Carlos had to walk up a set of stairs with no rails to get to the bathroom.
Carlo’s behaviour ‘changed significantly’. He became concerned people wanted to hurt him and his family. He started hoarding.
Analia made formal and informal complaints to no avail. She felt she had no choice but for Carlo to live with her.
‘The dream of having his own place … is now lost. And [Carlo] has been left traumatised by our experiences of trying to sustain that dream.’
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.