Jezza and Peta
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.
Jezza, late 50s, has schizophrenia.
Some years ago, he had an accident and acquired a brain injury. He uses a wheelchair and needs support. Following the accident, the public trustee and the public guardian began managing Jezza’s affairs.
The public trustee sold Jezza’s home for a substantial amount and he became ineligible for the Disability Support Pension. Jezza had to move into aged care because there was no disability accommodation available.
Jezza wanted to get out of aged care and move closer to his sister who lived in a regional area several hours drive away. He had supported independent living (SIL) funding but Peta, his NDIS support coordinator, was unable to find a suitable property near his sister. ‘He's quite heavy-handed with his wheelchair so it needs to be sturdy, built solid, wide walls, wide doors and that sort of thing,’ Peta said.
Peta told Jezza he had enough money to buy a home near his sister and ‘turn it into SIL accommodation’.
She suggested Jezza build a granny flat at the back of the house and put the SIL provider in the front. ‘There'd be other people with disabilities,’ she told the Royal Commission ‘so there's some company for him as well.’ He would be able to live off the income from the rental.
‘That was the grand plan and [Jezza] was thrilled, you know, really thrilled about it.’
Peta spoke to the public guardian who thought it was ‘a great idea’.
She then spoke to the public trustee who wanted more information.
Peta jumped through ‘all the hoops’. She found an accommodation planner to source the property and several SIL providers willing to manage the property and guarantee the rental.
The providers made presentations to the public guardian who chose a preferred provider.
But the public trustee dragged their heels, asking more questions.
‘This went on, I kid you not, for a year.’
Peta organised a meeting with the trustee, guardian and SIL provider.
Prior to the meeting the guardian told her the trustee wasn’t going to approve the plan.
Peta persisted, telling the trustee and guardian, ‘This is his money. This is going to give him an income for the rest of his life and he can live happily in his own property.’
The public trustee refused to release Jezza’s money, without giving ‘any real reason’.
‘I understand they have to ensure that he's going to have money for the rest of his life, but he would have had money for the rest of his life. It was a win-win situation.’
Peta was so disappointed for Jezza.
‘The feeling of self-worth and the empowerment that it would have given him … I can't even tell you how much that would have been for him.’
The guardian told Peta to find Jezza another SIL home, but Peta had tried and there was nothing available.
‘These people are adults … They are able to make their own decisions … I just think that the guardian is supposed to be representing … what [Jezza] wanted, and this is what [he] wanted … She went and joined the trustee and then made it impossible for [him].’
The guardian withdrew her approval for Peta to work with Jezza.
Jezza is still in an aged care home.
‘It’s not their money … What quality of life is that?’
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.