Neighbour slammed for note to mum about disabled child's 'squealing'
The mum of a child with a disability has received a complaint from a neighbour over “high-pitched screaming and squealing” coming from her home.
In a passive-aggressive letter dated February 16, the author requested that the woman “improve” the noise coming from her home in Queensland, or else be prepared for the complaint to be taken further.
“Please find this letter as part of the noise complaint process required by council to raise and address the issue of the daily noise, particularly the high-pitched screaming and squealing from your children from the residence,” the note read.
“While we understand children can be noisy at times, for many months the screaming has gotten worse and is constant which is causing neighbourhood fatigue and impacting daily living.”
The author added they believed it was necessary according to council guidelines to bring the issue to the attention of the woman, to give her an “opportunity to improve this”.
“Should this not occur, council then requests a daily noise diary, with noise decibels be sent to them as part of this noise complaint and they will then get in touch and may issue a noise fine,” it continued.
“It would be greatly appreciated if your noise disturbance can improve and to not have to take this complaint further.”
The mum shared a photo of the letter to a Facebook support group, calling on members for suggestions on how to respond without using “colourful” language.
“Please give me an idea how to respond correctly to this letter without using the colourful words I’m thinking of,” she wrote.
Social media users were quick to comment on their own experiences with similarly disgruntled neighbours and offer advice to the woman.
“They have no chance. Noise complaints are to do with noise you can control. Disability does not fit into that category,” one person wrote.
“I would respond with the disability discrimination act. Print it out and put it in an envelope and stick it in mail boxes. People are awful,” another said.
Someone else recommended sending a response with whatever colourful words the woman had in mind.
“Neighbours don’t need to know diagnoses – ours don’t. It’s none of their business unless you want them to know. Maybe call the council and see what they say,” they wrote.
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