Nari
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.
‘I wasn't able to speak and pronounce words properly. Nobody was able to diagnose me being dyslexic. They just like said to my mum, “We don't know what this is.”’
At school, Nari struggled to learn to read because the words were not ‘staying still on the page’ and ‘were jumping all over the place’.
Nari tried to tell teachers what was happening but they ignored her. As she got older they told her she was ‘lazy’ and ‘not trying hard enough’.
The school moved her to the learning centre, but no-one was able to help her.
‘My voice just wasn’t heard by the teachers … Teachers need to be educated about [dyslexia].’
After leaving school, Nari enrolled in a photography course at a tertiary college.
‘I didn't have a lot of support because I still wasn't really aware that I was dyslexic. All I could tell people was I had learning difficulties, and trying to explain to people was just a bit hard.’
Lecturers told her she was ‘never going to amount to anything’, but she was determined to ‘prove them wrong’.
Nari finished her course and loves being a photographer. But she has found it hard to get a job.
‘My disability is on the inside. When people look at me, some people can tell, some people can’t tell.’
Nari has mixed feelings about being on the Disability Support Pension.
‘I desire to work, and it's like trying to just find that something where I can work.’
Nari was eventually diagnosed with dyslexia in her late 20s.
‘I didn't really notice that my brain is trying to read from right to left … My brain is like reading it backwards. If it's backwards I can read it no problem. And then if you get letters and numbers and put them all together and make a message, I can read that no problem.’
Nari has discovered computer software that is helpful, but it is slow and ‘frustrating’.
‘I feel like Australia’s behind with different things like technology and not being able to pick things up.’
Nari believes people have very little understanding of dyslexia.
‘I don't feel like I've had a lot of opportunities because of my disability … I have struggled … I didn't really know what my disability was.’
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.