(NIDS) Rolling on brown grass

 

I remember when I was planning for the NDIS wondering if the grass was greener on the other side and certainly I have found lovely green patches of grass!

 

In the general community there is still some confusion around what that National Disability Insurance Scheme is and how it works.  It is not a lump some of money that is paid into my bank account. The amount of money deposited into my bank account has not changed. 

 

Then NDIS is more like the medicare system, you make a claim of you expenses.  These expenses are approved at the time of your plan approval allowing you to pay for the support you need at home and to access the community.  In essence I pay my invoices through my broker. Thus the money is in my brokers account not mine.

 

The exceptions are my transport allowance which was previously my mobility allowance is paid in to my bank account and any equipment needs a quote to be approved by the NDIA before purchase and payment by my broker. Other participants may of chosen to ask the NDIA to manage their plans on their behalf.  

 

 

 

Continuing to work on my doll exhibition

 

I have chose to broker my supports through support organisations because I feel it gives me and my support workers policies to protect us both.  I feel strongly my support workers deserve the best working conditions the industry can provide.

 

Some things are working really well for me, like designing a weekly schedule to fit around my art prctactise; planning a physical therapy program that will enable me to live my best life. Ooh and shopping for a new wheelchair to enable me to take part in community art workshops. 

 

In choosing a support service I wasn't looking for a prefect service because I know that service does not exist.  I was looking for a service who could provide me with flexible support at the times I needed.  In the end this came down to which support staff team I enjoyed working with the most.

 

As I've shared one roster is a lot easier than four and if for some reason my times need to be altered, both myself and the rostering team, I know that can happen. We that was what I hoped.

 

Networking at FUSED Festival

 

The reality is being with a larger organisation, to allow for a larger support worker pool to chose from means someone other than my coordinator is in charge of my roster.  They may not know I need a support worker I have trained up to work in the pool on Wednesdays and Fridays, or I start work with a meeting at 9 am on Tuesday morning, thus my support times on this day need to be fixed.

Late its been difficult to plan and make appointments, for fear the shift is not filled. Then there's the ongoing transport issues and finding staff who are happy to drive their cars.  Its at the point where I am starting to think, how much time do I need to give these guys to get their act together?

Which is very sad when I am really happy with the staff team I have around me.  Those who support me have adapt well to the change in the NDIS environment.  A world that gives participant choice and control over there support services. I feel highly respected and the team is happy to support me with my  NDIS goals around art and keeping my independence.

Right now the grass is not what I hoped for, but do I keep watering it and nurturing the grass in the hope I can revive it and enjoy rolling on it?  Or do I search for greener grass that may not be beyond my current supports?  Umm decisions . . .  

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