Mckenna
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.
Mckenna is in her mid-50s. She has multiple sclerosis and uses a walker to get around. She lives with post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.
A couple of years ago she decided to move to a villa in an aged care facility. She felt she would be safe there.
One night Mckenna woke at midnight to take her medication, as she routinely did. It was raining heavily.
‘As soon as I placed my feet on the carpet – I didn’t have any socks on, I felt all this water and the water was probably close to my knees, and my dog jumped off and all I saw was this brown water everywhere. I grabbed my dog, I grabbed my stick, my walking stick. I walked out to the corridor, I put the light on and I just saw this river of brown water everywhere.’
Mckenna was very frightened. She called the State Emergency Service (SES).
‘I said to the lady … “Look, I’m disabled. I’m on my own. I’m very scared. I think I’m going to have an anxiety attack.” She said, “Look, go out the front and wait for the SES. They’ll be there in five minutes.” And I was in my pyjamas, I had mud all over my legs, all over my feet. It was slippery because I have hybrid flooring, there was mud everywhere. I was slipping and sliding. I was holding onto the walls. The water was up the walls.’
The SES arrived eventually and did what they could. But Mckenna couldn’t return to her home. A neighbour called the manager of the aged care facility for her.
‘He said, “[McKenna’s] got nowhere to live. Her house is unlivable” … And she said, “I’ll deal with it in the morning.” And I was left outside crying with my dog and my pyjamas on, full of dirt, shaking. I’ve got nowhere to live.’
Mckenna ended up staying at another neighbour’s home. She says the manager of the aged care facility failed in their duty of care.
‘Before I signed on the dotted line and they took [money] from me, they told me, “Oh, [Mckenna], we’re going to give you the best care now you’re on your own, you’re disabled … We’re here to help you with anything.” How could a woman just go back to bed? She just went back to bed. That’s not duty of care. She should have gotten in the car and come to my aid … I’m left out there like a shag on a rock, crying.’
McKenna told the Royal Commission that in the days and weeks that followed, the management team were rude and dismissive.
They refused to take any responsibility for the damage to her home, though the flood was partly caused by their tradespeople.
They found her alternative accommodation, as they were legally obliged to do, but it did not meet her access and other disability needs. They provided no additional support.
McKenna felt bullied by the management team, and her mental health deteriorated. She considered taking her own life.
‘I ended up at a psychiatrist. And I’ve got a psychologist, my GP, my neurologist – everyone said, “You’ve got to get out of there. You’re going to lose money but you need to just get out.”’
McKenna sold the villa at a loss, on terms very beneficial to the aged care facility.
‘I know a lot of my friends have said to me, “You’ve opened our eyes. We will never want our parents or our friends go into any of these places because they’re just a money-grabbing organisation.” It’s just all about money.’
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.