Astrid
Content Warning: These stories are about violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation and may include references to suicide or self-harming behaviours. They may contain graphic descriptions and strong language and may be distressing. Some narratives may be about First Nations people who have passed away. If you need support, please see Contact & support.
Astrid is in her 50s and lives in a regional town. A few years ago she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). Astrid told the Royal Commission a person with MS can feel tired all the time, have vision impairment, and even walking can be painful.
When Astrid first applied for the NDIS, her support funding was approved without question.
In the second year, she was surprised when the NDIA rejected her application.
Astrid was unaware at the time that she could challenge this decision. She says it took six months before she figured out the NDIA ‘had made a mistake and that I had the right to demand a review’.
She lodged an appeal and successfully argued her case. ‘They admitted their error and approved my application,’ Astrid said. But the process was time consuming and took 12 months to complete.
Since then, Astrid says she has experienced challenges of a different kind with the NDIS.
‘It has been a very long line of allied health professionals that I have had to wait anything up to 6 weeks before they could see me.’
Before even booking to see a specialist she needs to go to her GP for a referral. It can take up to eight weeks to get an appointment.
Under her current plan, Astrid has a support worker one day a week for four hours. She spends that time going to a mental health class, doing grocery shopping, running a few errands, gardening and getting help around the house. For the rest of the week, she says, ‘I am still a prisoner in my own home.’
Increasing physical pain prevents Astrid from driving, so she takes a taxi to and from her GP appointments. ‘As I survive on a Disability Pension, $50 is a significant loss to me.’
Astrid says that financial stress has led to ‘psychological suffering’. ‘I can’t afford to see the doctor on a regular basis, so monitoring my various health conditions is not happening.’
She has lodged repeated complaints with NDIS about her concerns. Overall, Astrid says, her experience with the scheme has been ‘a nightmare’.
‘[The scheme’s] ridiculous rules are making disabled people repeatedly jump through hoops at our own expense.’
Disclaimer: This is the story of a person who shared their personal experience with the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability through a submission or private session. The names in this story are pseudonyms. The person who shared this experience was not a witness and their account is not evidence. They did not take an oath or affirmation before providing the story. Nothing in this story constitutes a finding of the Royal Commission. Any views expressed are those of the person who shared their experience, not of the Royal Commission.