Anthony is not looking back with the NDIS

Less than two years ago, Anthony Boyd’s support consisted of his family and a long-term group program.

Since the arrival of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), a world of new opportunities for the 37-year-old, who has an intellectual disability, has opened up and he is not looking back.

Anthony’s Mum, Maureen, said the change in her son has been incredible to witness.

“He’s turned into the most confident man,” she said, “You say about choice and control, Anthony has that now. Before it was always under the guidance of us and everybody else.”

Maureen said Anthony has a new range of choices now available to him, and he is enjoying the simple choices others may take for granted.

“He even has a choice about wanting to go for lunch,” she said. “Just a simple thing like that has turned it all around, he decides he’d like to have lunch out, or he’ll make his lunch here at home with the support worker.”

Anthony has a wide selection of age-appropriate options Maureen credits to his support workers, who regularly offer him new experiences and variety of things to do.

Using his NDIS funding and a support worker, Anthony enjoys ten pin bowling with friends, taking part in music classes, going for walks or visiting the gym.

Last year he even travelled to Brisbane to see a musical – something he had never done before.

But for Maureen, Anthony’s progress with his speech therapy, and the positive flow on effects she is seeing, are the most significant.

“We’re getting more verbalisation [from Anthony] and he’s talking to people a lot more,” she said.

“There’s a lot of emotional expression at the moment. It’s the combination of the therapist and the support worker.

“It’s hard to describe the thrill of seeing him progress,” Maureen said.

Anthony received assistance to implement NDIS funding from Carers Queensland’s NDIS Local Area Coordination Partner in the Community Program for the Maroochydore region.

Carers Queensland can support you to find out more about the NDIS, to apply for funding and to help you get started with the NDIS.

If you have a disability but are not eligible for the NDIS, Carers Queensland can help you identify and link to options for support in your community.

To find out more about how the NDIS and Local Area Coordination program can work for you, contact Carers Queensland on
1300 999 636, or cq.enquiries@ndis.gov.au.