PRESS RELEASE: Sydney Trains Discriminates Against Disabled Children

Hi there, I’m Matthew. I’m 16, and I have Autism, and FND.

FND (Functional Neurological Disorder) is basically where the “software” part of the brain doesn’t work properly and can cause weakness, tremors, problems walking, and sometimes whole body paralysis! It cab cause dizziness, sensory problems, speech disturbances which can sometimes cause people to become non verbal for a short period, and cognitive symptoms.

Sadly, FND the most misunderstood disability that I’ve ever seen, even though it’s quite common! Even being allergic to water is more understood than this! And I’ve been experiencing significant discrimination from the community, especially Sydney Trains! I’ve had staff who’ve kicked my bottom, try to snatch my bike, threaten to push me off trains, accuse me of faking my disability, and worse! And most of them think I’m in my mid to late 20s and on drugs, then they call the police in a V formation after me! And I’m in fear for my safety wherever I go! I’m having to plan out my day on who’s gonna be where, and have to remember to record everything, wherever I go because otherwise nobody believes me!

I’ve also have had to crawl out of trains, deal with people trying to push me off platforms, daily harassment for speaking out, and more! We’ve attempted multiple times to make things work with Sydney Trains. But I continue to get side-lined and backstabbed by Transport for NSW! I’ve attempted to file a FOI request, and speak out publicly, which have failed. And I’m not in the right state to sue Sydney Trains and go to court. I’ve also tried to contact Gramme Innes, Dylan Alcott, and other news companies, but with no response. There’s also been “trolls” who have also gone after me as well. Jo Haylen (Shadow Transport Minister) has been the only one who has helped so far, but she also got pushed back by TfNSW. Sydney Trains are only focusing on getting people with accessibility requirements to the platforms (like lifts), not for the whole journey as independently as possible.

Here is some footage of some of the stuff that’s happened to me, and almost 200 very similar incidents as well: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLotZRmcVVQyQo4Mq3a3DV5im3OXjS2zZ0

I desperately need your help as nothing has been done since December 2021, and I can’t do anymore to try and resolve this, and I can’t keep going through this hell and torture!

Thanks,
Matthew