NDIA Accountability Project

Husband’s terminal cancer and lack of support for carers

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

From: To: Community Affairs, Committee (SEN); Subject: Submission to the Inquiry into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill 2012 Date: Thursday, 24 January 2013 7:37:29 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.

As a carer, wife and friend to my dear husband who has a terminal cancer with the disadvantage of never knowing how long his sickness will take to progress. I could do with extra support and counseling on how to cope which is within the budget of the pension. Struggling to pay bills and extra medical costs and having to borrow money is degrading. Surely every Australian deserves a decent living income or free medical costs, you shouldn’t have to worry with every test you are sent for.

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 choose the types of support to use,
  • Better access to mainstream support and services,
  • People with a disability can plan their lives and pursue their goals and dreams,
  • People with disability can choose who comes into their home,
  • The ability to receive services when needed and in the way that suits the person,
  • Increased ability to coordinate services to suit the “whole” person/family,
  • Minimising the number of times people have to tell their story in order to get support,
  • Access to reliable information about support options

The most important services for the NDIS to provide are:

  • Therapy and allied health services,
  • Equipment and home/vehicle modifications,
  • Life-skills,
  • Support for families and carers,
  • In-home care and domestic assistance,
  • Crisis and emergency support,
  • Positive behaviour support and psychological services

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

Australia is not a third world country but has little support for the disabled or their carers and or families.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards, Mrs Linda Daryl Sommerville