Rudy
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Rudy is 12-year-old boy with autism who lives with his parents in Victoria. He is ‘full of energy, with a cheeky glint in his eye’ and ‘enjoys a wonderful, unique sense of humour’. He also ‘faces a mountain of adversity each day’.
Rudy’s parents explained that ‘with his severe autism … generalised anxiety disorder and complex behaviours’, Rudy’s days are filled ‘with long drives and stopping at playgrounds’. These outings meet his basic needs to stay regulated at the appropriate level of stimulation – a ‘delicate balance and critical to his wellbeing’.
‘Should Rudy not stay sufficiently regulated without access to playgrounds, a real risk is another crisis admission into … [a] neuro-psychiatric ward … including a very traumatising ED [emergency department] experience … involving physical restrictive practices by a team of orderlies, Rudy being shackled to a bed and pumped with enough sedative to knock out multiple adults whilst his anxieties spike out of control.’
When the COVID-19 related Restricted Activities Direction took effect in April–May 2020 and the intention to close playgrounds was announced, Rudy’s parents said they promptly sought exemption for Rudy to use quiet country playgrounds. They made a second request when the easing of restrictions was announced. Both requests were denied on the grounds that the Direction did not provide for any exemptions.
‘What we got was a complete disregard for a severely disabled person’s wellbeing and support needs,’ said Rudy’s parents.
‘General community health measures were applied in a way that potentially makes the already extremely challenging life circumstances of a severely disabled child like Rudy much worse.’
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.