NDIA Accountability Project

Sister's interstate support package inadequate and wheelchair wait

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: Friday, 25 January 2013 4:24:52 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.

My sister lives interstate. Her support package is not transferrable and is actually inadequate to meet her needs. She cannot come to live with me in Qld even though I am the only family she has. My sister has now been waiting 2 years for a new electric wheelchair. She is currently housebound as her electric wheelchair is unreliable and she does not have a manual chair available. Fires are raging near her home in Gippsland, I really worry.

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,
  • 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:

  • Equipment and home/vehicle modifications,
  • Flexible in-home/outside home respite,
  • Crisis and emergency support

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

Because I have lived the nightmare of the current system along side my sister. I have watched my Mother die at 34 years of age - partly due to stress and fatigue from caring. We had no in home support, a tiny bit of respite and long long waits for wheelchairs. I was always the lifter of legs…… we had no hoist, no support workers, no nothing. My sister moved to an institution, she was abused there. She moved out living in poverty and filth whilst waiting 10 years for any in home support. I have watched people waste their lives sitting waiting for decent services, for mobility equipment and for meaningful support.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards,

Living the Nightmare Kerrie Morgan