The NDIS has enabled greater independence and inclusion, but privatisation and provider profiteering are driving up costs and distorting its purpose.

Privatisation has distorted, if not destroyed, the intent of the NDIS and I have watched it happen, closely, over the last 20 years. My family had the privilege, and the challenge, of being involved in the “early roll-out” of NDIS services and I am my granddaughter’s NDIS nominee. Today, I want to paint a picture of one family’s experience of the “before” and “after.”

Most days of the week, my adult daughter forwards a photo of my granddaughter, and every day, it brings me relief and happiness to see her smiling, with her friends, accompanied by a carer, out and about in the world, like most 25 year olds. She’s at the gym with her friends (paid for by our family). She’s walking in a park, she’s at the beach, and my favourite, she’s at a shopping centre with her best friend, sipping a smoothie. The look of joy on her face expresses the special love and rapport she finds with her peer group, like most of us. She’s not one of the “out there” Downs girls. For one thing, she’s elective mute, as well as being a shy, sensitive soul. She does have opinions, and a sense of humour, but she’s subtle, and takes time to get to know. She also can be anxious, have meltdowns, become very........

© Pearls and Irritations