Kristen
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.
Kristen is in her 50s and has multiple sclerosis. A decade ago she moved into a nursing home.
‘I said to mum, “Mum, you’re not looking after me … I’ll go to aged care. You live your life.”’
Living at the nursing home was ‘crap’. ‘You don’t want to know what it is like,’ Kirsten told the Royal Commission.
A few years ago, Kristen moved out of the nursing home and into specialist disability accommodation (SDA).
‘I love the apartment … I can do what I want, when I want and how I want … [but] the whole module is not good for everyone. It doesn’t work. The reason being [there’s] one staff for 10 high-needs residents. One staff between 10.’
The NDIS supports Kristen. She employs her own support worker during the day, but at night relies on staff of the service provider that runs the SDA. She can wait up to an hour for the only overnight support worker to respond to her buzzer.
‘At night time, why is there only one staff? And I’ve been told many times, “Just use a pad. Just use a nappy.” That is so degrading.’
Kristen said she pays more than $60,000 a year for the SDA, but has no say in who the provider employs.
‘You should be able to choose what carers they want … They’ve got to be highly qualified. At the moment … I’m probably going to swear, but they’re pretty bad.’
The service provider’s staff appear to be untrained and often ‘stand there and twiddle their thumbs’ when Kristen asks for help.
‘They’re only in it for the money. Which is great – we all have to work for money – but you must have a passion. You must love your job as well.’
Kristen said the NDIA is slow to respond to her requests for help. The costs and wait times for equipment are ‘ridiculous’.
‘Whether it’s a commode or a wheelchair, as soon as you mention the word “disability”, wow, it goes triple the price. I’m praying. I’m still waiting for my wheelchair to get modified. It’s what, maybe over a year? Nearly one year.’
Kristen would also like the NDIA to fund a sex worker.
‘It’s good for physio and it’s good for your mental health and you’re killing two birds with one stone. Why can’t we have it once a month? Is it so wrong? … I’d like to feel normal.’
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.