Submission 2594
Observations on the Impact of NDIS Support
By Penny Lee, Support Worker
This submission outlines my observations regarding the impact of NDIS-funded support on three regular participants whom I have supported over the past six years.
Participant 1 (P1)
P1 is a 60-year-old male living alone with several significant disabilities, including profound deafness, mental health challenges, obesity, mobility difficulties, and a recent diagnosis of Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), a progressive degenerative condition that will eventually result in severe loss of movement due to muscle deterioration.
P1 is already barely able to leave his home without assistance, primarily due to the progression of MSA. He currently receives support with showering, meal preparation, attending medical appointments, and accessing the community.
Equally important as his physical care is the social connection provided through NDIS support. Without this support, P1 would be almost completely isolated. He is naturally a very social person who enjoys companionship and interaction with others. Currently, he is supported to attend a craft group, where he particularly values the friendships and conversations within the group, rather more than the actual craft activities! He also attends an evening trivia session and a monthly coffee and lunch group with participants of a similar age.
P1 has expressed many times that the support and companionship he has received over recent years has significantly improved his mental health and greatly enhanced his quality of life. In simple terms, this support allows him to continue enjoying life while he is still physically able to do so.
Participant 2 (P2)
P2 is a 25-year-old female living with her mother and brother. She experiences multiple mental health conditions as well as physical health issues, including obesity, all of which significantly impact her daily functioning. She also comes from a background of considerable family trauma, including experiences of mental and physical abuse.
With consistent NDIS support, P2 has gradually developed the confidence and ability to leave her room and, over time, leave the house. Through physical therapy support,
Submission 2594
particularly aqua therapy, she initially experienced improvements in her mobility and wellbeing. However, after her funding was reduced several months ago, this progress came to a halt.
As her support worker, I witnessed her deep disappointment following the funding cuts. Support workers experience these setbacks alongside the people we support, and it is extremely difficult to watch progress stall due to reduced access to services.
P2’s family environment is heavily affected by hoarding behaviours, and she has developed similar tendencies herself. Through patient support and gentle encouragement, she has gradually begun developing an understanding of organisation and order within her home environment.
P2 is also supported to attend medical appointments. Prior to receiving NDIS support, she would only attend appointments if accompanied by her mother, which added further strain to already difficult family dynamics. Initially, she would want to return home immediately after appointments. Over time, however, she has developed enough confidence to browse shops and spend short periods in the community before returning home.
Without NDIS support, I believe P2 would likely still be isolated in her room, disengaged from the outside world, neglecting her personal wellbeing, and relying almost entirely on online interactions for social connection.
Participant 3 (P3)
P3 is a 32-year-old non-binary person living with their former partner. They experience autism, ADHD, several mental health conditions, and multiple physical health disorders. They also come from a background of family dysfunction.
Despite these challenges, and largely due to ongoing NDIS support, P3 has achieved several important goals and continues to work towards further independence. These achievements include developing household management skills, improving personal hygiene routines, and increasing social interaction and community participation.
Most significant, however, has been their progress in education. P3 successfully completed a TAFE qualification and has since enrolled in a university program. Prior to receiving support, further education was considered unattainable. Through encouragement and practical assistance provided via the NDIS, they have developed confidence in their abilities and now genuinely believe they can one day graduate from university.
Submission 2594
Following the recent budget announcements and concerns about reduced support, P3 stated very clearly to me that without the support they have received through the NDIS over recent years, they believe they would have died by suicide.
This statement highlights the profound importance of ongoing support, not only in achieving goals, but in sustaining hope, purpose, and life itself.
Conclusion
I sincerely hope that the progress achieved by each of these participants is not undone through reductions in support services. The goals they are working towards — independence, social connection, education, health, and community participation — are things many of us take for granted.
Without adequate support, I’m afraid these individuals may regress significantly and return to the isolation, poor mental health, and limited quality of life they experienced prior to accessing the NDIS.