There is a growing call for further support for the disabled members of our community who continue to fall through the cracks of a crumbling health system, particularly in rural and remote Queensland. A lot of the time the only support is from carers and other interested parties using their own time and resources to support each other. It is farcical that we can bring in uniform road rules, but we can't bring in uniform support services for the disabled.
Here is some recent correspondence recieved. Any person interested in helping out can contact the people involved or make your feelings known to your local elected representatives and get them to do something about it.
D.J.HUNT
Dear Friend
I had my right leg amputated above the knee in 2005. After this setback I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to continue work in our own small steel fabrication business.
August 2010 I finally had to except that I could not continue in this venture as with degenerating joints and age must look to apply my talents in another area.
In February this year I had the opportunity to be invited to a NDIS (National disability insurance scheme) forum to explain up and coming changes being proposed to the disability system.
At the conclusion of this meeting I was approached and asked if I would be interested in being a NDIS Champion this position would entail the following.
* Support the distribution of email information about upcoming NDIS forums in your area
* Lobby your local MPs – both sides about the need for and NDIS and how it has the potential to transform lives – and tell local media about it who always want to hear personal stories
* Build strong support from people inside and outside the disability community based on learning about the current problems and the solution that NDIS offers
I have decided to accept this opportunity to support the NDIS campaign.
Dear friend over the years I have the opportunity to meet and hear the stories of many people with disabilities. I have recounted these peoples experience to friends but then moved on with my own life as most people do unless it directly affects you. Even after the loss of my own leg I had still carried on this practice of recounting stories of people with disability then move on with my own life not accepting myself as being disable.
It is now the time to take action and not do as I and many others have, and continue the practice of in action as the example above states.
All I ask of you is if you know someone who is struggling in the disability system and would like to voice their feelings on this system.
Please feel free to pass on my E-mail address on to a friend in need and do not just delete.
With communication and Understanding we can achieve
Wayne Maitland E-mail: marjmaito@ozemail.com.au
44 Riverstone Road Gordonvale 4865 Ph: (07) 4056 1304 Mobile: 0439 760 025
Ten Reasons Why We Need the NDIS
1. The support system for people with a disability, their families and carers is in crisis. If you, or someone you love, is born with a disability or acquires one later in life, you all run the risk of falling through a huge hole in Australia’s safety net.
2. People with a disability and their families and carers want to participate in the social, economic, and cultural life of the nation. But there are many barriers to their full inclusion.
3. Lack of support and services means families are primarily responsible for meeting the needs of their family member with a disability. Many families are struggling with high rates of physical, emotional and financial stress.
4. The current situation is inequitable – people receive different levels of support depending on how, when and where their disability was acquired.
5. An economic crisis is looming. The number of people with a disability is increasing and the number of people willing and able to provide unpaid care is falling. This means the cost to government is expected to escalate dramatically in the future.
6. A National Disability Insurance Scheme would provide people with a disability and their families and carers with the regular care, support, therapy and equipment they need. As a Medicare-type scheme, it would provide a secure and consistent pool of funds for these services and support.
7. It would be fair, efficient and effective. It would focus on early intervention and delivering those supports which produce the best long term outcomes. It would maximize opportunities for independence, participation and productivity.
8. It would be individualized and person-centered. Support would be based on the choices of person with a disability and their family.
9. The scheme would reframe support as investment rather than charity. Timely interventions, appropriate aids and equipment, training and development would become investment in individual capacity rather than welfare. The scheme would therefore lead to more positive results for people with a disability, their families and carers as well as being fiscally responsible.
10. All Australians would benefit from this scheme because disability can affect anyone, anytime. Everyone will benefit from building a more inclusive, more diverse community.
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