Nigel and Izabel
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.
Nigel has a cognitive disability and requires 24/7 support. He lives in supported accommodation and up until recently Izabel worked as one of his support workers.
A few months ago, Izabel was in Nigel’s room getting him ready for a shower. Nigel said he didn’t want a shower and started getting upset. Nigel reached out to push Izabel away and she stepped back.
Izabel told the Royal Commission she tried to encourage him – he didn’t have a shower the previous day and needed to shower. She reminded Nigel his mum was coming to visit that day and he needed to have a shower before he could see her.
Nigel continued to resist and became more upset.
Another support worker came into the room and loudly told Nigel it was time for his shower. ‘It was time for a shower … it was definitely happening and there was no arguing about it,’ he shouted.
This made Nigel more upset and he hit the bed and reached out to push both Izabel and the other worker away.
Izabel tried to calm him and suggested they sing one of Nigel’s favourite songs while he was getting ready for the shower. But the other worker began dragging Nigel to the side of the bed. Izabel said Nigel ‘was kicking and hitting and kept yelling “no”’. The worker continued to be rough – pushing and pulling Nigel.
Izabel suggested the worker take a minute to let Nigel calm down. He refused.
The worker kept pulling at Nigel until he noticed Nigel was pointing at Izabel. He asked Nigel if he wanted Izabel to help him to his shower chair. Nigel said yes and Izabel helped him to the chair. The shower was completed without further issues.
Izabel said Nigel’s family were not informed about the incident and were never given a copy of the incident report. She’s concerned the support worker continues to work with people with disability.
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.