Tim, Rodney and Nadine
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.
‘They are stigmatised and discriminated against mainly because they have schizophrenia and do not act or behave like other people a lot of the time.’
Nadine’s sons Tim and Rodney live with schizophrenia.
‘They do not work, have no friends, and live very isolated lives,’ Nadine told the Royal Commission.
Thirty years ago, Rodney was in his early 20s and Tim was in his late teens. Nadine said they were healthy and active and had lots of friends.
‘Rodney had completed an apprenticeship and Tim was doing extremely well in his matriculation year.’
One night someone punched Rodney, damaging his brain and triggering a severe mental illness. A year later Tim, who was still at high school, was diagnosed with schizophrenia.
‘Mental health services provided them with multiple medications, but they were not able to offer them anything else, including adequately supported accommodation, which is what they wanted and needed most,’ said Nadine.
Her family bought a house so Tim and Rodney could live close to their parents. Nadine became an advocate for people with psychosocial disabilities.
She told the Royal Commission a common symptom of severe mental illness, anosognosia, meant her sons were unaware of their condition and unable to accept it. It meant they could not advocate for themselves.
‘Mental health services have not handled this common barrier well and this results in many being discharged into the community with little or no support,’ said Nadine. This is why some people with severe schizophrenia either live with families, become homeless or end up in jail.
Nadine said her son Rodney, for example, had been charged several times for trivial matters, such as travelling on a train without the right ticket. His disability led to misunderstandings, but it was rarely taken into account.
Several years ago police threw him to the ground, beat him with a baton, and handcuffed him because he didn’t want an ambulance to take him to hospital.
‘My son has no history whatsoever of violence, and police were told this prior to their arrival … The violent assault took place simply because he walked away from them and he was treated as though he was a criminal.’
The assault traumatised Rodney, who hasn’t spoken since.
Nadine is worried about what will happen to her sons when she and her husband are no longer able to advocate for them.
‘My husband and I are now in our mid 70s and have serious health issues of our own.’
Tim and Rodney received their first NDIS plans in 2019, ‘a life-changing day,’ and now have 24-hour care. Nadine fears future governments will reduce NDIS funding, particularly for people with psychosocial disabilities, because of the high cost.
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.