National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. 1) Bill 2024

Submission 162

To whom it may concern,

I wish to have my voice heard over the future of the NDIS. As a participant with quadriplegic it has given me opportunities that I thought I had lost 22 years ago. It gives me the flexibility of control of my life by having people come into my house that fit in with my lifestyle & family. It gives me the opportunity to form a bond & continuity of care with my carers. They become familiar with my care, my routine, my body & are able to advise & inform me of wounds, rashes & other irregularities. If there are limits & controls put on who I can care for me this will be taken away as it would become institutionalised care at home without choice who comes in. Productivity would be reduced. It would not allow for the flexibility of time to suit my lifestyle. Sometimes I require services at different times depending on my day. I don’t want to be told my service will be at a certain time. I want control.

The activities I like to involve myself in depend on the weather, tides, wind & seasons, from fishing at certain times of the day to “bushwalking” to swimming on the high tide. This flexibility gives me independence.

I hope whoever makes these decisions listens to these issues & reflects upon the flexibility they have in their lives & lets those with a disability have the same.

Hear my voice.

Kind Regards John