Yes, sorry, I should have asked who is the Carer for Wakatak.
That person doesn't get paid enough.

RE NDIS
I am amazed that some people just do not understand what carers give up in life, to be a carer is a full time job endless day and night. am a full time carer of my son who was born with autism and epilepsy.
He is full on. The one thing in my life that I miss is the spontaneity of being able to do something for myself on the spur of the moment, like being asked out for a coffee in half an hours time - this is not possible. Every move in our house is programmed so someone is with my son 24/7 you cannot just get up today and think what a wonderful day I think I will go out to the movies and dinner, lucky you! We don't have that that choice or luxury, everything has to be planned down to the last 1/2 hour. Could you live your life like this? Dependent on others to help you so you can have some time off, but only when you can get the help which is in such short supply and cost so much money can you have a bit of a life away from your caring duties. Even then your mind is on your person, it is hard to take away the thought that someone else is trying to care for them so you can have a break. What we are hoping with the NDIS is that the insurance scheme can provide some dollars to allow our family to have a break away from caring so we can all try to have a life outside of our caring duties, we have other children and they feel deprived of a normal life as our lives revolve around our disable son's every move. Hopefully the NDIS can sort out the problem with availability of respite for parents which is in very short supply in Victoria. Only then will we be able to have the rest we deserve so we can soldier on and take care of him.
regards

I hope this humanitarian crisis of carers who sacrifice everything to care for a child into adulthood and beyond is helped by this levy. It is not appropriate in a wealthy country for lifetime carers to die not knowing what will happen to their adult disabled child. It is not right that some parents die not knowing what will happen to their adult child or person with a disability and that some have resorted to taking the life of themselves and their adult person with a disability because society just does not care. Far from dole bludgers they save the tax payer over $100,000 by caring for their person at home while they often live in poverty. They fund kinders, libraries schoools sport etc while they get nothing. It is high time their contribution was recognised. Stephy.

Enjoyed the article; well argued (and I support the proposed scheme), however I think it’s a big leap to infer that the PM is not supportive due to her comments that you listed. Equally, be mindful (re 'words of hope' for people with disabilities)- it is easy for an Opposition to espouse strong support however, as has been witnessed MANY times before, can change in a heartbeat when in Govt….

Re NaomiMelb – well explained and compassionately (and professionally) done so given the strong statements from others.

I am surprised, and saddened, by the negative comments.Surely the critics can't understand the issue/s.

After 40 years I am no longer a primary carer - It's been 14 months. I'd forgotten what it was like to be an "ordinary" Australian. My Mum lived with us for 40years, passing away last year aged 100yrs.

Our disabled son passed away 6 years ago, aged 40 years. Having high needs and complex medical issues, we had to fight for every service he ever had - including health, education and guardianship.

Both my husband and I have deteriorating health. We have 3 other children, 9 grandchildren and, 3 great-grandchildren to whom we have not been able to devote much time - until now.

Aged care, and care of the disabled, are 2 entirely different things.

Aged care spans 5/10 years, profound disability spans a lifetime - yours, or theirs. Care of my Mum, though intensive, was a "breeze', compared to our son, especially when you are doing the two, together.

Critics seem concerned about "rorting" - but the profoundly disabled are not the ones who have, historically, done that. The proposed NDIS builds in assessment and other provisions to prevent systemic abuse.

It is not about the aged - Their care needs are different and that sector is more responsive.

The NDIS addresses a growing problem, and builds in security to prevent the crises that now exist.

The NDIS will protect future Australians who, for whatever reason, acquire a profound disability. None of us know when severe disability might choose us, or a family member/friend. It does not discriminate,

The NDIS will ensure that services are available - no matter where you live. Currently, regional Australia - which is where I live - does it tough.

It's time we gave our carers a hand-up, not a hand-out - and that includes provisions to ensure the system is not abused.

Hopefully our critics will become better informed, better disposed and more understanding, as we work our way through the legislative process.