Maci and Georgina
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.
Maci is almost three and her first language is Auslan. She lives with her mum, Georgina, in regional Australia.
Maci has osteopathia striata which affects her hearing, bones and development.
She needs intensive intervention therapy to narrow the development gap with her peers. But Georgina told the Royal Commission that Maci experiences a significant access problem.
Maci’s therapists recommend she attend speech and occupational therapy three times a week. But because of the distance – 90 minutes each way – she is only able to attend once a fortnight. If Maci requires more specialised therapies or medical services she has to travel to a major city. The closest city is six hours away.
Georgina thinks many people wouldn’t see this as neglect, but in her opinion it is.
‘Not being able to access services, means [Maci] is not progressing as she could be, all because of where we live.’
Together, Georgina and Maci’s therapists asked the NDIS ‘for travel money to offset [Georgina]’s loss of work, and working part time’. If this was not acceptable they proposed funding for a support worker to take Maci to therapy.
But the NDIS denied both requests because of Maci’s classification – early childhood intervention (ECEI). The ECEI approach supports children under seven and uses Early Childhood Partners to deliver the program. But Georgina says finding a partner in regional Australia can be difficult.
Instead, Georgina asked for Auslan training and provided a quote. The quote was for a full year through telehealth and Georgina thought it was agreed. But the NDIS would only provide 10 weeks of training.
Recently one of Maci’s therapy groups cancelled their service due to staff changes. Georgina has been unable to find a replacement service.
Georgina is frustrated by the lack of services and choice for regional Australians and would like to see a more equal system.
‘I would hope that rural disabled people are able to live full lives where they choose to live.’
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.