NDIS participant is pursuing his passion for photography

Published On: 16 June 2019Categories: NDIS, News

Ben, who is 34, and his mother Elaine were thrilled when the NDIS was rolling out in the Moreton Bay area. Ben lives with Ataxic Cerebral Palsy (the rarest form of Cerebral Palsy) which impacts his fine motor skills, but not his passion for photography.

“When I read about the NDIS, I thought, someone has got this right. I called the NDIS and they allocated Ben a Carers Queensland Local Area Coordinator. We had all of the paperwork and documents ready for our meeting with Fiona [Ben’s LAC], and she was brilliant. With her help, Ben’s plan was up and running in a month,” said Elaine.

“Before [the NDIS] it was just me. Ben needs support to walk, has a vision impairment and osteoporosis, which means he is at a high risk of breaking bones. He needs 24 hour support and I couldn’t keep it up and it wasn’t fair for him. Now, with his plan, Ben is more independent and is doing things he loves to do.”

Ben now regularly visits the library with his support worker to research his favourite topics, he is learning lighting and sound production with House with No Steps and he is learning to cook.

“Every Friday, with help from his support worker he cooks for me. He has even started doing his own washing to help me out and to be more independent. This is why it’s so hard to hear all of the negativity about the NDIS, because I can see what it has done for Ben.”

One thing in particular that the NDIS has given Ben, is the tools to pursue his passion for photography. Ben has always wanted to study photography but was unable because he struggled to find support.

With his NDIS plan, he is working towards completing his photography course with funding for a support worker, who is a photographic journalist. Now Ben and his support worker are regularly out in the community adjusting camera settings, playing with lighting, using different lenses and completing his assignments.

“The NDIS has given Ben the choice to select his support workers. Together we carefully pick the right people to fit into his life and as a result we have the best team.”

“The NDIS is truly amazing for Ben. He now has the independence to do the things he wants to do and achieve the things he wants to achieve.”

To find out more about the NDIS call 1800 800 110, visit ndis.gov.au or email Carers Queensland NDIS LAC PITC on MoretonBayLAC@carersqld.com.au