Vaughn
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.
‘The hospital system does not display any compassion towards people with disability.’
Vaughn is a pensioner with multiple disabilities. These impact his gross motor skills, such as movement and speech, and fine motor skills, such as writing and texting.
Some years ago Vaughn was admitted to hospital with blood in his urine. He told the Royal Commission he was discharged with ‘minimal notice’. Vaughn asked to see his file, but the hospital would not let him. The urology nurse yelled at Vaughn in front of staff and patients, an experience he describes as ‘very humiliating’.
When Vaughn recently presented at a hospital, staff determined that he was drunk because of his slurred speech and lack of coordination. They forced him to undergo an alcohol withdrawal program.
While at the hospital, Vaughn was accused of abusing a nurse, ‘throwing tablets in her face’. Vaughn said he didn’t do this, but was forced to sign an agreement to not throw anything at nurses. He said he signed the agreement because the hospital threatened to withdraw treatment if he refused.
Another time, Vaughn fell out of his wheelchair and cut his head and an ambulance came. ‘They shone lights on [me] and left,’ Vaughn said. The ambulance returned with the police, assuming he was intoxicated.
Vaughn’s experiences with health and medical agencies has a recurring theme. Medical and emergency staff presume he is an alcoholic when treating him rather than investigating or enquiring, due solely to his speech patterns.
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.