Active goal possible with NDIS
After twenty years of making-do himself, Glasshouse Mountains local David Hayes is blown away by the support he is receiving through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), which will make a big difference in his life.
A year ago David, who was born without legs and hands, didn’t know what the NDIS was about and thought it had nothing to do with him.
“I don’t know what other people do, I never knew there were things I could get help with,” David said after a meeting with Carers Queensland about accessing and using the scheme.
“Any 40 year old guy can fix a light bulb and hammer a nail. I can’t do that,” he said. “If I can get help with that, that’s a big thing for me.”
With his NDIS plan David will be upgrading his prosthetic legs to a type more suitable for active and daily living. He is a keen lawn bowls player and enjoys keeping fit, but has to be selective with his activities.
Swimming in the surf is something David would love to do and with better prosthetic legs, he is looking forward to being able to swim at the beach for the first time in 20 years.
Right now David is learning more about the support available to him to make his daily living more accessible. Carers Queensland, the NDIS Local Area Coordination Partner in the Community for the Sunshine Coast, will continue to help David connect with community support and learn more about using the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
His advice to others like him who never thought the NDIS was for them is to look into it.
“At least make a phone call, see what it can offer you. I would never have considered doing it if someone hadn’t suggested it,” David said.
What does 2019 look like to David now?
“More active.”
To find our more about the NDIS call 1800 80 110, visit ndis.gov.au or email sunshinecoastlac@carersqld.com.au