HANDLING WITH CARE

CORANGAMITE MP Libby Coker says there are 155 young people in the region who are currently in aged care.

Labor leader Anthony Albanese joined Ms Coker at Waurn Ponds Library on the weekend, where he met Kirby Littley and her parents, Kevin and Carol.

Kirby, 34, went from being a young teacher with a bright future to a patient in an aged care facility, barely able to talk.

Her parents advocated strongly to get National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funding to modify their house so they could bring their daughter home.

She lived with her parents for three years before moving into her own disability-friendly unit in Belmont a year ago.

Ms Coker said young people should not be housed in aged care facilities.

“I want to work with Albo and the Labor Party to ensure that people not just in Corangamite but across our nation who have disabilities and are young, if they want to, should be living independently,” she said.

“It is good for their wellbeing, and the longer someone is living independently we see their skills and abilities improve.

“Many young people who are in aged care for a long time become institutionalised.”

Kirby’s mother told Mr Albanese there were still more than 6000 young people stranded in aged care homes across the country.

Mr Albanese said it was good to hear “a real story from a real person”.

“I was impressed by Kirby’s courage in overcoming difficulties and her determination to be independent,” he said.

“Kirby has strong advocates in her Mum and Dad, but we need to make sure people without those strong advocates are also looked after.”