The Disability Royal Commission Report was released yesterday on 29 September 2023. It investigated incidences of abuse, neglect and deaths of people who live/d with disabilities. The report makes 222 recommendations how to reduce such atrocities. Women who live with disabilities were found to incur a higher incidence of abuse. 

If you are a person with a disability, NDIS provider, nurse, aged care provider or carer - come and join us on Tuesday, 3 October 2023, at our online Interagency Meeting as we discuss the Disability Royal Commission Report's findings and recommendations. This is an excellent opportunity to unpack how we can each make a difference towards increasing safety, welfare and wellbeing for vulnerable children and adults. If you're on our mailing list, please check your emails, as the meeting ticket link was sent out late on Friday afternoon. Alternatively, you can reserve your spot by clicking the link below. We look forward to seeing you there!

This abuse in care topic is close to my heart having worked in child protection 13 years and spent my career of over 20 years as an advocate for women and children's rights. Let's have an important conversation on Tuesday 3/10/23 about increasing protective factors for people living with disabilities who are vulnerable to abuse and neglect. We are often their arms, legs and voice!

Book now at https://www.wholewarriorsolutions.com.au/events.html

Best regards
Tania

Mary appeared almost unrecognisable as she walked down the hospital corridor shuffling her bare feet. She held out her arms. We embraced. She held on and sobbed, and sobbed. Our arms stayed locked until she was ready to release. Mary appeared an empty shell of the lively woman I used to support. Now Mary appeared broken, dishevelled, with matted hair, and wearing someone else's clothing. Mary stared at me with a vacant yet desperate gaze. It was like the life had been sapped from her. Devastated from years of abuse, forcibly separated from her children, deprived of all freedoms in a locked hospital ward. Mary had been scheduled under Section 22 of the Mental Health Act as she had been a risk to herself and her children allegedly.

Listening to Mary recall her ordeal made tears well up in my eyes. Mary described the process of being forcibly detained with six men physically restraining her during the scheduling and jabbing her with a needle - likened to the trauma of a sexual assault. There were no words to console. Sometimes it is the deep understanding of just sitting with the grief, together. We sat and cried. The fact Mary felt safe to share her dark night of the soul with me spurred me on to advocate for her with the hospital social worker and mental health nurse. I attended discharge planning meetings with Mary and committed to supporting her with followup tasks to help her rebuild her life. Mary had no family and really needed support to re-enter society.

Whilst Mary stayed in hospital she received a number of labels or diagnoses about her mental health. Forced to attend groups with people living with significant mental health and forensic histories, including schizophrenia, bipolar, borderline personality disorders, narcissistic personality disorders and other's with complex comorbidities and behaviours. Mary described feeling scared living with people not of her choosing, some who were very unwell, gave her death stares, and others who followed her around the corridors. Mary said she stayed in her room to increase safety. Yet was expected to engage in group therapy and activities with people not of her choosing.

​After a month and much advocacy on my part, Mary was discharged and ready to start a new life. A new chapter, new beginning. Over the next year that I walked alongside Mary, I held space for her. Helped her find a new home, linked her with support workers, cleaner, a gardener, and visited her weekly. The home visits eventually tapered down to fortnightly then monthly. Over time Mary's energy and self-care practices returned, had enough energy and money to meet up in the community, going for walks, meeting for coffee, doing activities together, text messages and phone calls.

During this recovery coaching journey Mary integrated trauma, engaged in holistic somatic practices, equine therapy, talk therapy, sound healing, mindfulness and meditation practices in line with her faith. Mary overhauled her concept of good nutrition, exercise, hydration and more. As her wellness and confidence increased I helped her get a part-time job with animals that she loved. I had the grand privilege of witnessing Mary's transformation to wellness!