Tyson and Pru
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.
Tyson is a middle-aged man with dyslexia. He can read only a little and cannot write at all. He also has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and, in recent years, post-traumatic stress disorder. Pru, his mum, wrote to the Royal Commission to help her son tell his story.
Tyson had worked all his adult life and reports constant bullying and discrimination. He had managed to cope with this until a few years ago when, Pru said, ‘the bullying from people who should have known better caused him to “snap” and he could not take it any more’.
Tyson was bullied by his co-workers, including his supervisors. Management did not take appropriate action when he complained, despite assuring him the problem would be ‘fixed’. Tyson became aggressive at work ‘with an “I will get them before they get me” attitude’. He lost his job and then began self-harming behaviour.
‘He is now incapable of working, and has become a recluse,’ Pru said. ‘[He] will not socialise, does not trust people any longer, and will not go to places where there are many people … He is a “broken” man.’
The events have also smashed Tyson’s family life. His marriage has ended and he is estranged from his children. He has suffered financially too and is homeless — ‘all caused by intense bullying because he had a disability,’ said Pru.
‘People with a disability get treated differently,’ Tyson says, ‘even when they are good workers. They get called names, like “spastic”, and “stupid” ... I just need to be able to buy another farm and retreat to the country with some animals where nobody is going to bully me ever again. I will never be able to work again.’
Tyson is grateful for Pru’s love.
‘My mother has been the main person who has supported me, and has listened to me every day when I really needed somebody to talk to who understood.’
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.