National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026

Submission 2037

I used to be a support worker, supporting people like me, until a diagnosis changed my life exponentially. If it wasn’t for the NDIS, I would not be on the road to recovery that I find myself on now. I was told that there was nothing that could be done. I had found a place of acceptance that I would just decline until the end of my life.

My day would involve significant incontinence, regular falls where I sustained injuries including hitting my head on brick walls and concrete floors. We had to remove the carpet from my bedroom due to decay resulting from my incontinence. It is still a bare concrete floor today.

I lost my ability to think clearly. I had regular headaches. Many, many falls and injuries. I went from using a walking stick, to a 4 Wheel walker, to an electric mobility chair. I couldn’t take one step without aid or support of some kind.

The NDIS introduced support through 3 workers. They eased the burden on my husband and allowed him to have a break from worrying about me 24/7. He always had an ear out for the sound of me falling over again. The workers would take me out of the house and into the community. I attended activities at the Mission Australia Centre, where I met other people in the community and engaged in meaningful group activities.

My husband received the Carers Pension and I received the Disability Support Pension, so our finances were really tight. The NDIS enabled me to get a mobility chair, wheelchair, shower chair, hand rails and other home modifications that were recommended by the Occupational Therapists who assessed my care needs.

The NDIS funded the appointments with the incontinence specialist that helped me to improve (but never completely fix) the daily issues that I experienced. The NDIS enabled me to live my life to the best of my ability with dignity.