Tyler
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.
‘I think there really needs to be a recognition that disabled people are different to non disabled people, but we aren't inherently worse, we just live in the world differently.’
Tyler is a 21-year-old who identifies as non-binary and who has a number of disabilities, including dyslexia, depression and anxiety and an undiagnosed chronic pain condition. Tyler wrote to the Royal Commission about their experiences in education and employment.
Tyler started their education in a primary school that was ‘very supportive’, but high school was a different story.
‘I found it hard to adjust to the demands … and was offered little‐to‐no extra support,’ Tyler told us.
In year 10, Tyler applied for special provisions for dyslexia to help them with their year 10 certificate. ‘However the school refused to let me do it, because they felt I was "too smart" for special provisions.’
It was around this time Tyler ‘first started realising I was LGBTQI (but in very strong denial)’ and started experiencing symptoms of depression.
‘There was little to no education surrounding depressions, so I thought I was just sad for no reason.’
Tyler started self-harming. ‘No teachers or anyone like that said anything.’
When Tyler got to university, they considered applying for special provisions with the accessibility department, but the bureaucracy surrounding it was ‘too demanding’.
‘I was no longer seeing a regular doctor and so I didn't really have anyone that I could go to to get "proof" of my disability that was still current, and I couldn't afford to get a re‐diagnosis.’
Tyler said they were able to get by at university and passed all their subjects, but said, ‘I know I would've been significantly more successful if I had access to [health supports].’
‘When I was in my fourth year of university I had my first flare up of chronic pain. I missed enough classes that I failed the subject, and was advised by the lecturer that it would be better if I pulled out of the subject and just got a "fail‐withdrawn after census date" instead of a straight up fail.’
Tyler would like to see change in the way education and employment systems handle mental health. Both systems, Tyler says, provide additional stress and shame instead of understanding and options.
‘In the workplace, I'm not open about my disabilities. I find it something I'm way too uncomfortable to bring up, as I am worried people will treat me differently, they will use it as a way to prevent me from moving up in the workplace, and they will punish me for my symptoms (particularly fatigue and lack of motivation) …
‘We need specific support that is different to everyone else in order to achieve our best, because while we can still do well without that support in life, we can do even better with it.
‘The world isn't set up for us. But with compassion and support that we deserve, it can take a step in the right direction.’
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.