Cheryl
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.
Cheryl was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome in her early 30s.
Now in her early 50s, she works in a state government department. She had been excited to start in the role, but as she nears the end of her contract she feels let down and disappointed.
Cheryl has had a range of jobs and likes to work. She actively seeks employment and training opportunities. She particularly enjoyed an internship in a government department, which had been set up by a group that helps organisations employ people with disability.
‘The staff there were just completely beautiful people, showed me what I had to do ... “Please come back and show us when you are finished.” And I got all that amount of work done for them because they had been so supportive. That was the best work experience that I had ever had.’
In contrast, in her present role she has experienced discrimination from managers and others that has undermined her confidence and made her feel like a failure.
Cheryl began in the new role just as the COVID-19 pandemic began. Only a few days after starting her job, a lockdown began and there was a shift to working from home. This was difficult for Cheryl, but her manager offered no support.
‘There was no set communications, I felt, about my working hours, what I would do and what I would do on a regular basis.’
Her team performed various jobs, but the manager gave Cheryl a single repetitive and uninteresting administrative task. Her manager wasn’t happy with the way Cheryl did the task, but hadn’t properly explained how she wanted it done. Some months later, she finally did.
‘I said, "Why didn't you tell me that in the first place?" "Well, you should have known that, you should have understood that." But it was like, no, you are supposed to give me clear instructions. You are supposed to supervise me.’
When others in the team eventually returned to the office, a senior manager advised Cheryl to keep working from home.
‘I was told … "Oh, look, you will be too distracted." These are his words. "You will be too distracted by the noise and by the lights because it is too bright for you." And I normally wear a cap and combat the lights, I normally wear a cap." You wouldn't go and do your work, you would be too social and you would be saying hi to everyone when they need to do their work. You wouldn't be able to concentrate on your work."’
Cheryl also had discouraging interactions with the person appointed as her mentor.
‘She rang me one day … [and] said, "This role doesn't suit you, does it?" She was trying to talk me out of it … “You are better off doing a carer's role where you take someone for a walk or take them shopping or take them to the hospital, navigate the hospitals."’
At another session with the mentor, she reported to Cheryl all the achievements of other people with disability in the group, without mentioning Cheryl’s.
‘I sat there and I was crying,’ Cheryl said.
Cheryl wants to ‘work and grow and learn’ but said this experience has had significant impacts.
‘I feel like I’ve lost all my skills, my self-esteem, my confidence. I feel like I’m nothing.’
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.