Being Aboriginal with a disability a ‘double whammy’, royal commission told

Abstract

Narelle Reynolds, who has two disabled sons, says her family has been pushed into homelessness.

A Wiradjuri woman who is the full-time carer for two adult sons with intellectual disabilities has told the royal commission that the “double whammy” of being Aboriginal with a disability has pushed her family into homelessness.

Narelle Reynolds’ sons, Justin, 38, and Luke, 33, have Fragile X syndrome – a genetic condition that causes intellectual disabilities. Luke also has epilepsy and has been treated for thyroid cancer. In childhood, they were misdiagnosed as having autism.

In 2015, Luke’s health began to deteriorate. In 2017 he was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and had surgery and chemotherapy. In order to access better medical and more culturally appropriate services, Reynolds moved the family from Dubbo to Coffs Harbour but has struggled to find affordable housing.