Anyone started with the NDIS?

Sorry, @eth — ARF = Access Request Form. (Silly NDIS-speak has invaded my brain.)

Tell me about it @Former-Member! They have their own language that's for sure. I find I have to explain it whenever I talk about them. They make things as difficult as they possibly can. I really feel for anyone not well enough to understand. So many people will fall through the gap between mainstream supports and NDIS access. Especially people isolated because of MH who don't have the kind of support I'm lucky enough to have. I'd have given up by now if not for my sister-in-law and brother getting involved.

@Heart@eth@Former-Member@Phoenix_Rising@CheerBear Yesterday I had my son's yearly NDIS appointment. It went really well. The worker listened and was interested in what our experiences (as my daughter came along to as back up) were with my son. She asked lots of questions and let us do alot of talking. I also had a support person my my son's provider with me as well which turned out to be the right thing to do.

I might also add i was very nervous going in but was really happy when the appointment was over and done with as I believe it has achieved alot. Wishing everyone a similar experience with the NDIS xx.

Hi @Bunniekins good to hear things went well yesterday. I hope they give you a good plan with enough funds for everything your son and you need. I'm very happy for you that you can be an example of when the system is working well.

@eth I was talking with my psychiatrist and he said that NDIS atm have no idea on how to fund mi patients because of their lack of expertise in that area. He said people with disabilities have a much better time of it. Unfortunately my son fits somewhere in the middle which further complicates things but we keep a postive mind about how it will all turn outl I am the eternal optimist.

I lost my optimism about NDIS somewhere along the way this last year since I first applied @Bunniekins. It's great that you can maintain yours.

Hi @Bunniekins @Former-Member @Phoenix_Rising @CheerBear and anyone else following still.

Monday I spent all day working on answering questions from my legal aid solicitor for the statement from me that my sil and her are collaborating on for me. Once they have a draft I will have another opportunity to add anything I want to it and edit the final draft. This statement will then be submitted as part of the appeal documents to the AAT.

Questions included :

What are the benefits to you receiving adequate support?

What do you think will change in your life with adequate support?

Do you think you will continue to need these supports?

What are your future plans? What would you like to acheive?

@eth I dont have any support for me only my son. He has autism, epilepsy, interlectural disorder and a psychosis (schizophrenia). He was diagnosed at 2 1/2 and has been getting supports with the old government disability service (I forget their name) since his diagnosis.

My psychiatrist says it is very hard for people with a mental illness to get supports through ndis because their are no one with expertise in that area. If you had a disability you would be finding it much easier I am afraid ...

That's right @Bunniekins re physical disability being easier to get NDIS funding. But they say on their website that they do cover 'psychosocial disability'. Problem is their access decision makers and planners don't have enough training to deal with it. They only allocated funding for 65 000 when there are more like 900 000 in Australia. But there have been government inquiries and as a result these figures are meant to be changing.

You might be able to get a Disability Advocate to help you (google them) - I have one. They are external to NDIS. Otherwise since your son is approved already you should be eligible for Local Area Co-ordinator (LAC) and Co-ordination of Supports (CoS) - ask the NDIS about these. They should be funded in your plan if you need them. Do you use any support organizations? e.g. One Door Mental Health (Used to be called the Schizophrenia Association). They would be able to help you with CoS and plan management if you want that. As well they have drop-in centres with activities for 'customers' (i.e. participants). Ability Links are also good at finding services registered with NDIS.

@eth my son doesnt fit into any category clearly because of his dual diagnosis of autism and schizophrenia. It makes finding a place very hard for him to go to to make friends. It kills me as he wants a girlfriend (several in fact god bless him lol). I will look into those organizations (thankyou). It is very, very hard and when I talk about it I have to admit I feel very despondant about his future when his father and I are not around.

What will become of him I just dont know.