Cory and Kiana
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.
Cory is a young autistic man who has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, depression and anxiety. He also has a passion for music.
Just before Cory turned two, his mum Kiana became concerned about his lack of developmental milestones. She took him to a paediatrician who, in making his diagnosis, said Cory would ‘probably die young due to social isolation and ... live at home for his whole life’.
At first, Kiana says, her family felt like they had ‘lost their son’ before he had had any chance of a life.
Now she says the diagnoses was a gift. It meant Cory had access to early intervention, which was ‘highly beneficial in helping [the family] deal with everyday living skills and managing his disability’.
When Cory got to high school he struggled socially. He was bullied by some of his peers who would spit on him on the school bus.
Cory began self-harming. ‘We ended up changing schools which caused more depression and anxiety for the last years of high school,’ Kiana said.
When Cory finished high school, financial assistance seemed to disappear. The family felt like they were all alone. Cory applied for the Disability Support Pension but was knocked back. Kiana says it was ‘due to his disability being a hidden one’.
Cory has struggled to find and keep employment. He had a job but lost it after five months because he has difficulty concentrating.
‘We would like him to be more independent,’ says Kiana, ‘but at present due to financial constraints while on Newstart allowance, this is not a reality.’
Kiana says for young adults like Cory, dealing with everyday issues such as Centrelink, Medicare and the NDIS is not something they can do alone.
‘Living independently would be a huge benefit but not viable if [Cory] can’t get a disability payment or a job with some security.’
For the foreseeable future, Cory will continue to live at home with his parents.
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.