Toowoomba residents celebrate progress with NDIS appeals
SPINAL Life Australia chief executive officer Michael Powell says Toowoomba residents are leading the way in efforts to improve the National Disability Insurance Scheme after a series of recent advocacy wins.
The spinal cord damage support organisation recently assisted Toowoomba resident Tony Puhakka’s successful NDIS appeal to receive funding for air conditioning, after a spinal cord injury left him unable to regulate his body temperature.
Shortly after Tony’s result, Toowoomba Spinal Life member Wendy Adams also won her NDIS appeal to receive funding for essential home nursing services, such as wound care and catheter changes.
Typically, air conditioning and nursing services are not covered under the national scheme.
“Air conditioning is more than just a luxury for the thousands of Australians with spinal cord damage who are at a greater risk of heatstroke or hypothermia,” Mr Powell said.
Mr Powell said there were still many people who were ineligible for essential home nursing funding through the NDIS or other government programs.
“It’s unreasonable to expect people with a disability to spend hours at a doctor’s waiting room every day to receive vital day-to-day care,” he said.
“We’re hoping for a comprehensive NDIS that ensures no one falls through the cracks.”
Spinal Life Australia provides support, advocacy and specialist therapy for people with spinal cord damage and related physical disabilities.