Millions of Australians are disabled themselves or care for someone with a profound disability. Read the shocking stories of those left to soldier on in silence.
The Tregale family, Watsonia, Victoria
"I had to be an undercover spy"
“Our youngest son, Paul, now 34, was born with severe intellectual disability,” says his mum Heather.
“I was so upset with the system when we reluctantly sought a group home for Paul at 20, that I did 12 months full time TAFE and got my qualification to work in group homes. I worked not for the money, but to find out what was going on behind the closed doors of group homes".
In her four years of work, Heather discovered residents beds made up despite being wet; meals were often poor; there was little teeth cleaning, nail cutting or attention to injuries. Adults were intimidated, made to stand in a corner or deliberately tipped out of wheelchairs for petty reasons. “
Do you want to help the Tregale family?
Take 30 seconds to sign the Mad as Hell pledge.
The pledge calls for people to vote in the next Federal and State elections, for the political party which publicly promises to transform Australia’s broken, inefficient, crisis-driven disability support system.
Are you a carer? Do you have a story to share with us?
Send in your contact details, story (no longer than 300 words) and photos to wd@womansday.com.au.
For more inspirational carers stories click here
