Ritchie
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.
‘We’re not a charity case. If you work with us correctly we can be the star or the gem of the company.’
Ritchie is in his 30s. He is autistic and has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
‘I was diagnosed with Asperger's and I had an option for early intervention, but my dad said no,’ Ritchie told the Royal Commission. ‘My dad said, “Well there's nothing wrong with my son so you're not getting him help.”’
Ritchie was in a gifted class in high school, but in his final year ‘couldn’t study or focus’.
‘I left halfway through year 12, started working.’
He joined a large company working with computers. The company gave him awards, but after a relationship breakdown his mental health deteriorated.
‘I asked many times to get support because we were working from home as well, so to actually have face-to-face is difficult. So I asked to be kind of like buddied or something … and they basically just sent me on these courses where you sit and listen.’
Ritchie struggled to concentrate on his projects.
‘I'm used to bullying in the workplace, especially when it comes to having a disability. People call you slack, people call you incompetent … When I raised it with them, [the bully] basically put it back on me saying I was bullying him by raising the bullying. Which, you know, and then it just got dropped. So I felt very alone.’
The company eventually sacked Ritchie.
‘My career was progressing and then it kind of just collapsed. I lost my house, I lost my savings, I had to move three times. You know, I've nearly been homeless.’
Ritchie struggled to find another job and applied for the Disability Support Pension. Recently, he started an internship with another large company.
‘I almost cried. It was refreshing. I felt like I could just do my best, be honest if I wasn't coping … This is the first time in work I've actually felt happy or useful … They provide flexible work-hours and stuff.’
Ritchie said he has regular meetings in which the company gives him constructive feedback.
‘Like there's options, [and] it felt like I didn't have to fail. A lot of places you kind of push and you push and you push and you burn out trying to fit their expectations,’ Ritchie told the Royal Commission.
‘You have to put people in the right place. Not everyone has the same skillset. Same with disabilities. Not every person with a disability has the same skillset, but we can still flourish.’
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.