Submission No 279
INQUIRY INTO IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL DISABILITY INSURANCE SCHEME AND THE PROVISION OF DISABILITY SERVICES IN NEW SOUTH WALES
Name: Ms Judith Nicholas Date Received: 9 August 2018
Enclosed herewith my submission to the NDIS Inquiry due 9th August, 2018.
Terms of Reference
(k) I have been a carer to my two daughters Leanne and Karen Nicholas since 1994 when they both experienced psychosis whilst attending university. I wish to register a need to be addressed when a gap of services occurred causing me much financial and mental distress whilst waiting for a NDIS plan to be implemented.
Daughter Leanne was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder and has been receiving care from Ryde Mental Health since that time until March 2017 at which time activities ceased. The service advised that care would now be taken over by NDIS. Unfortunately there was a gap from March, 2017 until she was accepted with a NDIS Plan in October, 2017. During this time of seven months the burden of care became extreme for me as her carer to deal with. Her mental health deteriorated rapidly resulting in regression and a relapse in her mental condition. This was marked by her lack of motivation due to no form of activity offered. The result was her hygiene was absent as she remained in her pyjamas un-showered every day seven days per week. Depression and anxiety as well as delusions and hallucinations increased causing much distress. Fortunately she responded positively when services began following the acceptance into NDIS.
Daughter Karen’s disabilities had been cared for by Catholic Care over eight years until 1st July, 2017 when they ceased and discontinued service not under any obligation to NDIS. I wrote to NDIS requesting her application be fast forwarded, to avoid a gap of services. I never received a response to my letter. No care was provided until January, 2018. In the meantime my daughter advertised in the newspaper for carers. In her very fragile state both physically and mentally she interviewed several applicants and employed them to care for her to replace the carers provided by Catholic Care. I then paid these carers $30.00 per hour over 12 and 15 hours per week from July 2017 until January, 2018, Monday to Friday and I filled the roles on Saturday and Sunday. At 74 years of age it was very demanding. This was an extremely trying time for me and my daughter. Fortunately I had arranged a reverse mortgage of $50,000.00 on my home where I live with these two daughters. This allowed me to pay for Karen’s care until her plan was accepted. One can see by her plan what is required financially to adequately provide care.
This is a serious state which must be addressed.
Judith Nicholas