From: To: Community Affairs, Committee (SEN); Subject: Submission to the Inquiry into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill 2012 Date: Friday, 21 December 2012 6:58:12 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.
Even though I have severe and permanent chronic health conditions with mobility issues, I am being put through hell by Centrelink as I have had to repeatedly plead my case, in an attempt to have my claim for a disability support pension approved.. all this immediately after losing my mother who I cared for for 11 years, when my health deteriorated. It has been very upsetting and stressful, especially as you have to go through so many appeals, going over things again and again…and then they wonder why you are depressed and don’t want to live…..and now, I have to worry over Christmas and New Year about what is going to happen to me in a few weeks, when my carer payment stops. Life sucks. All because I don’t fit the legislation that the politicians have put in place. It is a hopeless situation, and even if they make a decision, it is so difficult getting them to tell you that your claim has been rejected. I do work part time, a job where I am on my feet for the whole ti me, when my hip is worn out and I am in pain constantly. I push myself through pain barriers all the time, living on panadeine forte, steroids and mobic, which dulls things a little. I’m not sure if I will get any support from anyone, as Centrelink sent me to a job network provider to get ongoing and extra work, knowing that I am already struggling. I need surgery, and have been trying for 7 years to get an operation on the waiting list. The health system continues to be totally inadequate for my needs, been waiting 2 and a 1/2 years for one outpatient clinic for sleep apnoea, nearly 2 years for a total hip replacement,and 4 months for an urgent colonoscopy after a positive test result from a bowel cancer screening test. For some reason my name keeps dropping off waiting lists, or it’s never put on, as someone misses what the surgeon has told my GP. There is no system in the health system….and they don’t like you complaining. It is a shambles, and seems to be covere d up. I write to politicians and all you get is the standard…“this is the process you have to go through” I’m sorry, but I am sick of this sort of treatment. I pay taxes, and I demand some treatment, as it is surely my human right to expect to receive adequate and timely health care. This is not happening at the present time, and I want to yell and scream until someone listens. And if I can’t get treatment, then, at least, don’t try and refuse me pain relief. And reject my claim for support because my conditions are not stabilised, because I can’t get treatment. Just give me a fair go, I am doing as much as I can, but it is difficult getting anyone who will recognise this. I don’t believe that anything will change, because no one really listens.
The main features of the NDIS that will make a difference to the community are:
More rights for people with a disability, People with a disability can plan their lives and pursue their goals and dreams, Minimising the number of times people have to tell their story in order to get support
The most important services for the NDIS to provide are:
Therapy and allied health services, Employment support, Case management, planning and coordination
I support the introduction of the NDIS.
So people with disabilities will get a fair go, so they can feel like they are the same as everyone else, have the same opportunities and have some chance of achieving their dreams.
I agree for my submission to be made public