I am a person with disability, a CEO, and a mother of two children. I am making this submission in a personal capacity to explain how the proposed changes to the NDIS may impact my life, my family, and my ability to participate in my community and in the workforce. My life before the NDIS
Before the NDIS, I lived in a regional area approximately 10 kilometres out of town. I was employed, but I was largely isolated.
I relied heavily on colleagues, neighbours, and others just to be able to get to work and manage daily life. Even basic, everyday tasks that most people take for granted -like preparing meals or maintaining my home, required support that I did not consistently have.
Although I was later fortunate to access affordable housing closer to town, which allowed me to walk to places independently, I still required support to manage the day to-day aspects of life. What the NDIS made possible
The NDIS changed my life. With appropriate supports in place, I was able to:
- increase my work from two days per week to four days per week over time
- move into a management role
- access workplace supports that enabled me to perform my role effectively
- live more independently
- participate in my community in a meaningful way The NDIS enabled me not just to survive, but to grow, lead, and contribute.
What happened when supports were removed
At one point, my supports were reduced and removed. This had a devastating impact on me and my family.
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I lost the capacity to continue in my role, so that I had to leave my job and start again in a different employment setting
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It took 12 months to regain supports through the AAT appeals process
When my supports were reassessed, it was determined by an Occupational Therapist that I actually required more support than I had previously been receiving.
This experience highlights how fragile participation can be when supports are uncertain. Where I am now
With the right supports in place, I have been able to:
- rebuild my career and progress to become a CEO
- maintain my home independently
- participate in my community and volunteer roles
- attend social events
- actively engage in my children’s lives As a parent, I can now take my children to activities like Nippers, attend school assemblies and be part of the school community. I can now get my children to their medical appointments (which often require travelling due to regional service gaps)
This has not only changed my life — it has changed how my children see disability. They now see their mother as capable, present, and engaged.
The risks of the proposed changes
The proposed changes to the NDIS create a real fear that this progress could be lost. If my supports are reduced or made harder to access:
- I will likely return to isolation
- I may lose the ability to participate in my community
- I may no longer be able to maintain my employment
- my children may lose access to opportunities and support For people in regional areas, the impact is even greater due to limited services and increased travel requirements.
This impacts more than me
This is bigger than just my own story.
As a CEO leading an organisation where 40% of staff have disability or lived experience, I am visible proof that leadership is possible. I have been told by other people with disability that they were never asked what they wanted to be. They tell me that they never believed leadership was possible.
But seeing me in this role has changed that belief.
What must be protected
The NDIS is not just a funding system — it is what enables people like me to work, parent, lead and participate. And to belong
Please do not take this away.
Do not take away the opportunity for mothers with disability to be present in their children’s lives. Do not take away the ability for people with disability to contribute meaningfully to society.
In conclusion…
Without the NDIS, I was isolated and limited in what I could do. With it, I have built a life, a career, and a future — for myself and my children.
The proposed changes risk undoing that progress.
I strongly urge the Committee to ensure that any reforms protect and strengthen the ability of people with disability to live full, independent, and connected lives.