Jaylin
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.
‘The Disability Discrimination Act says, as long as your dog is clean and healthy and goes to the toilet outside, and can hold their bladder overnight, then they're an assistance dog.’
Jaylin, late 20s, has bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, post traumatic stress disorder and lives with anxiety, depression, agoraphobia and atypical anorexia.
Jaylin told the Royal Commission that she’s unable to leave the house without either her partner or her assistance dog, Marla.
Jaylin’s ‘pretty proud’ of Marla because she was one of the first dogs that didn’t belong to an organisation to pass her public access test and receive her accreditation.
The first time Jaylin was admitted to the hospital adult mental health unit, they allowed Marla to accompany her.
But the second time the hospital refused, saying Marla was ‘unfit for purpose and that she would never make an assistance dog’.
Jaylin challenged them but they told her ‘it’s policy’.
Frustrated, Jaylin asked to see the policy and discovered it was still being drafted.
‘How can it be policy when they are still drafting it?’
Jaylin is suing the hospital. ‘The fact that [Marla] meets the Disability Discrimination Act protocols means she's an assistance dog regardless of what anyone says.’
Jaylin has also been ‘fighting the NDIS’ about Marla.
Eighteen months ago, the NDIA agreed to fund the cost of training and maintaining Marla, including food, insurance and vet bills.
At a recent plan review, they refused to fund these costs because Marla is not ‘reasonable or necessary’.
‘They couldn't give an explanation as to why they'd made that decision … given 12 months prior she was reasonable and necessary.’
Jaylin asked for a review of the decision.
‘They looked at it again and they said, “No, the dog's still not reasonable and necessary.”’
Jaylin is taking the matter to the administrative tribunal.
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.