MS victim’s nightmare of red tape
By NOEL MURPHY
GROVEDALE MS sufferer Rob Goodman thought the new National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) would at least preserve the services and assistance she was already receiving.
But its red tape jungle removed the support, leaving her distressed, depressed and fearful for her future.
“I have no family, partner or carer support but was fortunate to begin receiving support from a state-funded agency here in Geelong in 2002,” Ms Goodman told the Independent.
“I was very well cared for and felt a sense of security, which I naively thought would continue until the NDIS trial was set up in Geelong.”
Ms Goodman said she lost the support after a raft of meetings to develop an NDIS personal plan left her exhausted and anxious.
“I was barely able to comprehend the extent to which my services had been slashed.”
Ms Goodman’s lost services included respite, massage therapy, gym and swimming pool memberships, household assistance, access to carers, three free meals a week and internet connection for communication with health providers.
“But under the NDIS I now receive eight taxi trips a year, even though I’m still able to drive, as well as some help with gardening, an extra hour of home help per fortnight, which I currently don’t require, and three pre-prepared meals a week at a cost of $6, subsidised by NDIS.”
Ms Goodman argued “many logical and well-thought-out reasons” against the changes but received a “standard reply” that many of her previous services were outside NDIS guidelines.
She lashed out at the pre-trial slogan, ‘No person with a disability will be worse off under NDIS’.
“Clearly this was meaningless political propaganda, which was convincing at the time.
“People are screaming. There are some terrible stories and a lot of people are just giving up.”
Ms Goodman described the NDIS as a “cynical cost-cutting exercise” imposed on people already disadvantaged.
An NDIS Facebook page has comments citing similar concerns about the new system.
Corangamite MP Sarah Henderson said the NDIS Barwon trial would “learn lessons” about the scheme.
“The concerns Ms Goodman has raised are very important in addressing the full NDIS rollout,” Ms Henderson said.
“I’m obviously concerned by issues she’s raised about her own experience … anyone with a disability has to feel confident the NDIS trial will deliver the very best.”
Ms Henderson said she had raised the concerns with the deputy chief of National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), which adminsters the NDIS, and wanted to meet Ms Goodman.
An NDIA spokesperson said the agency “welcomes feedback” from NDIS trial participants.
“This feedback is an essential part of our commitment to continuous learning and improvement. Our senior staff are always available to talk with people participating in the scheme and in this instance the NDIA deputy CEO is available to discuss any concerns.
“Our planners are skilled and dedicated professionals who assist NDIS participants to get the best outcomes to improve the quality of their lives.
“Key values for all NDIS staff include being open, responsive and sensitive to individuals’ needs.
“If a NDIS participant has concerns about their interaction with the National Disability Insurance Agency, we are keen to engage with them and learn from their experiences.”
