Cedric
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‘I would like to see people with disability given funding as required so they are not reduced to poverty in Australia.’
Cedric is in his mid-50s. He has physical disability, psychosocial disability and chronic pain. He’s had many surgeries to try to improve his mobility. He told the Royal Commission how being ineligible for the NDIS affects his daily life.
About 15 years ago, Cedric was injured at work. It left him with severe pain in his hands, lower back, left elbow and one of his knees. ‘I eventually had to give up my work,’ he said.
Cedric is on a low income and can’t always afford the medical treatment he needs. ‘I cannot cope financially, and my mental health is suffering because I am stuck at home.’
A couple of years ago he began to notice how much he was struggling with day-to-day activities. ‘Showering and putting on clothes is difficult.’
The only financial support he receives is the Disability Support Pension. ‘Centrelink has recognised me as a person with disability,’ he said.
Cedric assumed he would automatically qualify to participate in the NDIS. He lodged an application for funding supports. It was rejected.
Without the financial assistance he thought he would receive, Cedric had to stop some of his medical treatments. This further negatively impacted his health.
He requested a review of the decision but the NDIA stood by its original finding.
He lodged an appeal with the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, arguing his disability was permanent and affected his quality of life. The NDIA accepted that Cedric had ‘various physical impairments and mental health conditions’ but contested their permanency.
The appeals process was stressful and, after two and a half years, Cedric lost his case. His disability advocate says the NDIA left Cedric with nowhere to turn other than the public hospital system for support. They say this is simply not good enough.
Cedric says Australia should stand by its commitment to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. He believes people with disability should be supported with adequate funding to live a quality life.
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.