ndis
needs and uses an electronic Lexi Gem’ as a Facebook site when supporters to assist children like
communication device and book. she was born. Over Christmas 2017 Lexi who are in desperate need
Clare and Dino were delighted
they sold paintings by Lexi to raise of life-changing equipment,”
to know that the aide Lexi had at money for her first wheelchair. They Ms Connolly said.
kindergarten was able to stay on had hoped that by now they could say To outsiders, this journey that
with her at school – after a formal goodbye to charity but the long wait- parents of children with disability
interview process. However, they times after applications to the NDIS go on seems overwhelming. Clare
were disappointed when they led them to approach the children’s was prescribed anti-depressants
realised that the DET funds would charity Variety for help. last year when the high level of
not cover everything.
“Even though we received the
Variety CEO Janette Connolly
paperwork, phone calls and interviews
said families and organisations often with bureaucracies, and medical
highest level of funding, it just doesn’t turn to Variety when government appointments became too much. She
stretch far enough,” Clare said. assistance isn’t available. copes by not looking too far into the
“The equipment costs thousands
“Testament to the growing
future and by keeping active – more by
of dollars and we strongly believe need in the community, that the aide should be paid a decent unfortunately the demand is salary. And the dilemma is now that often greater than the funds we and their equipment lasts an average
we’re dealing with two government have available for each of our of two years, this is going to be a
sources of funding, that is federal grant rounds. Variety receives no never-ending story for this family and
NDIS and state DET, and we have to government funding and relies on others like it.
struggle with endless applications the generosity of our donors and
necessity than by choice.
Since children are always growing
www.ndis.gov.au
and paperwork to two separate
entities that don’t communicate with
each other.”
Currently the NDIS pays for Lexi’s
equipment in the home, home care
assistance and weekend activities.
They reassess the applicant’s needs
every year as well as each time a new
piece of equipment is provided. This
increases the amount of paperwork
involved and the uncertainty raises
the applicant’s level of anxiety.
The stress level is compounded
when parents also have to find
the money to pay for two sets of
equipment (for school and home)
because it’s impossible to transport
one set between two locations. CPEC
has loaned some used equipment for
Lexi while her parents look for ways
to buy their own.
Clare and Dino are accustomed
to fundraising, having set up ‘Loving
linkonline.com.au
Clare
Whitney
and
daughter
Lexi
outside
Penders
Grove
School.
ndis
17