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It’s a question that faces all parents of those with disabilities: What happens when we’re gone?
For Bendigo’s Frances Russell and Paul Prendergast – whose 31-year-old daughter Kate lives with Down Syndrome – the arrival of the NDIS has not made their future any clearer.
“Our worry is wondering how she will live without her parents when we aren’t around anymore,” Mr Prendergast said.
“It’s a bit of a worry. It doesn’t seem to make housing any more available, unless you are a person with a profound disability that severely limits mobility.
“Kate has a pretty good quality of life at the moment. She loves working on her art, and dancing, and is very big into music.
“It’s unclear if the NDIS will be able to help her maintain that quality of life.”
Kate is a client of Golden City Support Services, but has no accommodation certainty if her elderly parents pass away.
Mr Prendergast said she may have to move in with another relative away from Bendigo.
“We actually want her to be able to find somewhere before we go, that way she can have a transition without it all happening at once,” he said.
The family are members of Quality Living Options – a self-help support group established in Bendigo for elderly parents of people with disabilities.
NDIS offers more of a “life plan”
The Sayle family of Kangaroo Flat only recently managed to secure funding to support their daughter, Jordana, who lives with cerebral palsy.
Her mother Annette said the NDIS would provide Jordana with a more “holistic” approach to her care.
“It’s huge for us, because while Jordana is great with most aspects of life, there are little bits that still haven’t been covered,” she said.
“It gives her an opportunity to have a life plan, and guarantees what will happen when I get older and pass away.
“I have confidence that the NDIS will make things better for us, and for others. I completed a course recently on how to ask for support, and what to ask, so we’re well prepared.”
Ms Sayle, who is also a social worker, understood it may be difficult for some families to make the most of the opportunities available from the NDIS.