McCoy
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.
McCoy, in his early 30s, is a university student. He typically gets distinctions and high distinctions and is soon to graduate. He lives in a housing department apartment with 24-hour care, as he has cerebral palsy, uses a wheelchair and cannot manage alone. He receives NDIS support.
McCoy has had a series of issues with different service providers and support workers. His interactions with one service provider some years ago were so negative he had a breakdown that left him with social developmental delay.
‘The worst kind of emotional abuse that they inflicted on me, or was inflicted by this staff member … I went from a very confident young man to having a nervous breakdown at the end of year 12 – so bad was her harassment – and needing psychiatric care.’
He told the Royal Commission about other support workers who dropped him on the floor, refused to push his wheelchair and wouldn’t give him anything to eat when they went on outings.
He described ‘one of the worst carers’.
‘She would constantly ingrain into me that I was a bad person, and that I shouldn't be doing this, I shouldn't be doing that, I shouldn't be asking questions ... She thought I was making excuses because of my disability. And I just felt, by the end of her shifts, that she – I was exhausted, and I was glad to see her go.’
He has also experienced poor care during stays at hospital.
‘They leave me in faeces, wet urine pads … They gave me no food. I was forced to feed myself, even when I couldn't. I couldn't even get proper nutrition.’
McCoy said it is difficult to follow-up these matters. In his experience, service providers don’t respond to complaints. ‘They’re not budging,’ he said.
He hopes the Royal Commission will recommend the establishment of an oversight body to manage complaints such as his.
‘Somewhere where you can go to, to air your grievances, totally independently from the NDIS.’
McCoy doesn’t believe the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission is adequately fulfilling this function. And while he appreciates the NDIS support he gets, he doesn’t think they have got it quite right.
‘I don't think they listen to people with disabilities, and I don't – I think they treat us like second-class citizens,’ he said.
‘They're providing me with care, but it's not the care that I need. And I still think that the organisations, although they have a mandate to … listen to people like us and to take into account our wishes and to do what we want, I still think it's very much not my life, my choice … if you know what I mean.’
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.