By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
LARA’S Donna Shaw desperately hopes the National Disability Insurance Scheme will give her respite from constant care of 18 year-old daughter, Brodie, who has cerebral palsy.
Ms Shaw said caring for Brodie, running a small business and coping with the disability system changes was “extremely difficult”.
Ms Shaw is one of 22 particpants in an Australian first community-based project, LEAD Barwon, giving NDIS participants a voice on how the new scheme is instituted.
Everyone involved in establishing and adapting to the NDIS faced “learning curves”, she said.
“I wouldn’t say it’s an easy process but the end result will be worthwhile.
“Everyone has to wipe the slate clean and start afresh and that’s really hard for carers and people with a disability but doubly hard for people in the system.”
East Geelong’s Simone Stevens, who also has cerebral palsy, was happy the NDIS would give her an extra 21 hours of care.
Said hoped having the NDIS in Geelong would demonstrate to the community that people with a disability were not to be feared.
“Education and awareness is a two-way street. I also want to let people with a disability know to give it a go, get out in the community and do it together.”
