Len
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.
Len is in his 50s and lives with a degenerative spinal disease and dyslexia.
‘My father and my mother knew I couldn’t read from grade 2,’ Len told the Royal Commission. ‘I got beat every time I brought home an English fail.’
Len was born overseas, but lived the first 20 years of his life in Australia. During that time ‘nobody recognised or actually understood that [he] had a learning disability’.
Len was diagnosed with dyslexia only when he returned overseas to study at university.
‘As someone with a learning disability, I’m not stupid. I’m quite intelligent, and I work outside the box … I actually consider my learning disability a gift.’
After university, he started his own business overseas, but struggled with the degenerating discs in his spine. Walking became painful. He received a disability pension that allowed him to live with adequate support.
Len returned with his family to Australia several years ago and has since developed a functional neurological disorder.
‘Coming back here I have been treated ultimately not even as a third-class citizen in this country.’
When he applied for a disability pension, Centrelink referred him to a psychologist.
‘The lady fell asleep three times during our meeting … I’ve never had someone insult me or treat me like I was inhuman as I have at Centrelink. The questions she asked me were disgraceful, disgusting and demoralising.’
Len said Centrelink denied him support.
When Len applied for NDIS support, he was met with a ‘format of disbelief’. ‘[They feared] that I was going to rip the system off.’
He persevered and now receives NDIS funding for a support worker.
Len’s back causes constant pain. He said he’s often treated like a drug addict when he visits a medical centre to renew his prescription for strong painkillers.
‘I’ve lived as a disabled person my entire life. I’ve managed my disabilities and succeeded through them, I’ve been abused since I was six … moved countries and actually got into university, and then turned around and was successful in my own business.’
Len told the Royal Commission that since returning to Australia, he’s become ‘scared to do anything’ because people are judging him on his disability, not on what he’s achieved.
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.