Tommy and Anita
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.
Anita’s son Tommy lives with schizoaffective disorder, which means he has some of the symptoms of schizophrenia as well as a mood disorder.
Tommy is a First Nations man in his 40s and lives in a group home. He has a history of substance abuse and has been in jail several times.
‘Most of [Tommy’s] adult life has been dominated by what I would call the “white fellas” system,’ Anita told the Royal Commission. ‘There was an obligation on the state to look after him as best they could, particularly as he has serious mental health issues. However, I don’t think he was looked after well.’
Tommy broke a rib and injured his lower back when the vehicle transporting him between prisons crashed. In a home for men transitioning from prison to the community, he slipped on urine on the toilet floor and broke an ankle. Anita said that at a group home, carers left a tooth ulcer untreated.
‘Even when Tommy’s troubles with drugs was becoming serious it would have been best for him to have gone out to country and be treated in the community by our elders,’ said Anita. ‘However, this was never an option. Instead he started to be become engulfed in the “white fellas” system.’
Anita said that even though Tommy’s financial affairs were managed by the public trustee, some of his ‘friends’ defrauded him of about $5000.
‘Again, this is a “white-fellas” institution. I believe that the public trustee did not take sufficient care over Tommy’s savings. The money was not recovered.’
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.