Talulla
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.
Talulla, mid-40s, has intellectual disability.
In her 20s, she wanted to be more independent and find a place of her own.
‘I like living with other people. I feel safer. Being alone would not do me any good.’
Talulla’s mum helped her find a community group home.
‘But it didn’t work out,’ Talulla told the Royal Commission. She didn’t have much in common with the other residents and everyone had different support needs.
After some time, Talulla had had enough.
‘So I stood up to my mum and said, “I want to move on.”’
Talulla moved to a purpose-built home with three older residents. They have become good friends and do a lot of things together.
‘The carers are good. And they take us away sometimes, and it's good fun.’
Once a week, Talulla attends a self-advocacy course to help her ‘stick up for [her] rights’ at home and at work.
She has become a disability ambassador and advocates for herself and the other residents.
‘That means I make sure that the carers are doing the right thing. I'm making sure they don't abuse us or hurt us or anything like that.’
One of the things Talulla has learnt is to calmly tell support workers they need to knock before they enter her or the other residents’ rooms.
She makes sure ‘that people are listened to’.
Talulla also advocates in her workplace.
‘If you don't get paid, I'll be talking to them.’
Talulla is concerned advocacy isn’t very well funded in her state.
‘We need money for our self-advocacy course.’
Currently, Talulla is involved in advocating for more timely access to mobility aids and for public transport to be more accessible.
‘Some people always wait for a very long time to get a wheelchair … We need help to get that organised. We don't want them falling over.’
She is also advocating for people to be able to leave the homes they are in if there are problems.
‘They tell me that some of the staff are a little bit rude and arrogant. And then I'll say to them, “Well that's not fair.” I mean, people should respect the client, instead of being rude to them.’
Talulla is happy. Being able to advocate makes her feel safer.
‘We need that voice.’
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.