Kendra
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.
Kendra is mother to two children with disability. The eldest has cystic fibrosis, the other has level three autism, epilepsy and is non-verbal. Kendra is angry about how people with disability and their carers have been neglected during the COVID-19 pandemic.
‘I’m appalled with the government approving so much for JobSeeker and not for carers. We work 24/7, we don’t get breaks, sick days and yet the government expects us to live on carers payment,’ she said.
‘I can’t work, I’ve got my own conditions, many caused by being so run down from caring, and I’m exhausted …
‘Carers payment needs to be raised so we can live a decent life and be able to afford things, especially through COVID, [during] which everything has sky rocketed.’
Kendra said she can’t get the COVID-19 fortnightly supplement because she is on a carer’s payment rather than a parenting payment. ‘It’s just pathetic. Why do my kids not get the same entitlement?’
‘I’ve written to many government officials and I’m just being ignored,’ Kendra said. ‘I’m not the only one fighting for this – there’s many disheartened people that deserve it.’
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.