NDIS LEAVES PEOPLE FALLING THROUGH THE CRACKS
GEOFF VIVIAN
An urban forestry expert and a well-known Aboriginal jazz singer who are both keen to keep working say the National Disability Insurance Scheme is letting them down.
Geraldton man Phil Frazee lost the use of his limbs after an accident.
He said he had been refused the physiotherapy and occupational therapy he needed because he was too old for National Disability Insurance Scheme help.
Phil Frazee said he was older than 65 when he fell from the back step of his Beachlands home, breaking his neck.
“I am paralysed from the hips down, I can use my elbows, shoulders, wrists, and I’m trying to regain the use of my fingers,” he said.
“I have the ability to go back to work in any way shape or form in any way that I can, even if it's … with some form of video conferencing or whatever.”
He said he wanted to return to work as an arborist and forester.
Mr Frazee, who is an Australian citizen, said NDIS was only available to people under 65.
Phil Frazee in 2014.
Ngarluma woman and well-known jazz singer Lois Olney is having to wait for a vital piece of mobility equipment.
She suffers from a chronic swelling of the legs called Lymph Oedema, and has already worn out two gofer carts.
“The problem is I had to wait a certain amount of time to see the occupational therapist to tee up some gofers being provided to test drive at my home and then to choose one that is appropriate for my condition, to get me around, to carry my weight.”
Although she qualifies for NDIS support Ms Olney has already been two months without her only means of independent mobility.