Spam: Submission to the Inquiry into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill 2012

From: To: Community Affairs, Committee (SEN); Subject: Spam: Submission to the Inquiry into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill 2012 Date: Friday, 21 December 2012 10:35:51 PM

Please consider this email a formal submission by me to the Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs Inquiry into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill 2012.

The current disability system has many problems that need to be addressed.

The Disability system does not work for me because as I am only getting a disability pension & my husband gets a carers pension as my full time carer we never have any spare money after paying bills, rent & putting food on the table. We also have to find quite a large amount of $ each month for my many medications. I had a Fem-pop bypass on my leg in a public hospital which was not successful, I was then wheeled back into surgery to remove a vein from my good leg to use in the bad leg. I now have blood flow but I have been left with severe nerve damage to my leg, I have Lymphodemia in both legs and also Chronic Regional pain in both legs. It was the hospital that ruined my quality of life but as I can not afford to take the Surgeon to court I have nothing. I was forced to give up my good job (7 years ago) and now 12 months ago my husband has had to give up his good job to take care of me, it was too much working and trying to care for me. I need a treadmill which would help m y condition which we can’t afford and to my knowledge nowhere to get one on loan or at a reduced rate. I also am suppose to attend Physio and hydro therapy but as I can not always afford the pool entry fee I do not get to go to hydro, to go an appointment at the hospital for physio is extremely hard as there are so many patients requiring assistance that you are seen then sent away to do exercises on your own. I am only 52, I would benifit from an adjustable bed but as these are very expensive i don’t have one. In the future i will need a wheelchair and other such items and yet i have no access to them at present.

The main features of the NDIS that will make a difference to the community are:

• Ensure support and equipment is available when needed,
• People with a disability can plan their lives and pursue their goals and dreams,
• The ability to receive services when needed and in the way that suits the person

The most important services for the NDIS to provide are:

• Therapy and allied health services,
• Equipment and home/vehicle modifications,
• Case management, planning and coordination

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

I support the NDIS as there is no where near enough curently being done for the Disabled in our community. A lot of us would like to return to work but without the required assistance/ modifications being supplied it is not possible. A lot of us would also like to partake in family/ community based activities but again without the proper support being in place this is not possible. A lot of us are in need of equipment to enable us to maintain a level of fitness and well being but without the means to get the items required we do not have the option to anable us to a better quality of life. The NDIS would make it possible for all disabled people and their families to obtain the assistance required instead of a select few.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards,

Mrs Vicki Johnson