Anyone started with the NDIS?

@Former-Member I just want to let you know I've read your post and I feel so angry at the brokenness of the system. From what I've heard, there is a growing outcry about all of this and so hopefully it will change at some point (not that that helps you right now). A big issue that has been identified is that we are meant to focus on recovery, yet as you say, to get the NDIS you need to demonstrate that you aren't going to recover. The whole thing is absurd!

I know it feels like you don't matter, bookish, and the reality is that you really don't matter to the people who came up with this system. But you and all those in your position do matter to a lot of people - that's why they are out there working at changing the world. And what's more, you matter to me, bookish.

Thank you, @CheerBear and @Phoenix_Rising. Oh dear, my eyes are leaking again.

And yes, @Phoenix_Rising, you’re so right. You spend all this time and energy and brain space compiling reports and evidence to prove you’re never going to get better, to prove you’re permanently disabled—all so you can then access services to work towards ‘recovery’ (not at all incongruent ) … only to be told ‘yeah, nah mate, you’re fine.’

Definitely not good for anyone’s mental health.

Hello @Former-Member I hear and feel you on so many of the points you mention. Most of what you say is things I have experienced too. Especially feeling broken and demoralised by the process and the need to have NDIS before you can access most supports available since it came in. Thankyou so much for sharing your experience so far. And best wishes for success when the time comes to re-submit your application.

When I did my internal 'review of a reviewable decision' (you have to do an internal appeal before you can go to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal) it was also supposed to be assessed by a different set of eyes - it wasn't, and the decline of access was repeated. So my sil got involved as my nominee and we put in a complaint, but the fresh pair of eyes still declined me. So here we are dealing with the AAT, a disability advocate and legal aid lawyer on my side, and NDIS represented by a solicitor too and it looks like there'll be a hearing rather than concilliation. I really hope you are accepted before this process becomes necessary, and that PIR provides good support to you. And that you have some sort of 'informal supports' e.g. a family member or friend who can speak for you when it's all too much.

Thanks again for your sharing, it must have taken a lot of precious energy to write it all. I hope sharing here means you have some more support.

There are also mental health and NDIS fb groups, but to be honest I find them too negative and avoid them currently.

Thanks, @eth. I have no informal supports and although I have my PIR support facilitator, I’ve been working with her since July and all we’ve done is the NDIS application (of course I’m extremely grateful for her help with that, don’t get me wrong).

I’m so sorry for everything the NDIA are putting you through. It’s so very wrong. I really hope it gets resolved sooner rather than later. Sending you lots of strength and good wishes.

Hi @Former-Member it might feel difficult but I've actually found that when my mask drops coz I'm overwhelmed it gives the other party a better sense of what happens when things are worse, and as hard as it feels it can mean they have a truer sense of how they can help, or what my needs for support can involve.

Yes, that’s true with some people, @eth. Having broken down a few times recently in front of my (relatively new) GP, she now seems to realise just how unwell I am and is willing to try to help me (which is great, but it would have been better if she'd just believed me in the first place). However, having my ‘mask’ slip has also landed me in the too-hard basket more times than I care to admit. It’s tricky.

I agree @Former-Member. Do you have a clinical psychologist and/or a psychiatrist you are seeing? I found the reports from them are given more weight by NDIS.

I do have a clinical psychologist, @eth. I submitted a comprehensive report from her with my ARF, clearly detailing my functional impairment in each of the six domains.

@Former-Member Wow, they're so unfair. What is ARF?