Today is International Day of People Living with Disability (IDPwD), and this year’s fitting theme is “Building Back Better: toward a disability-inclusive, accessible and sustainable post COVID-19 World”.
It champions ‘seeing the ability in disability’, a message Therapy Care promotes proudly, daily.
Therapy Care’s Allied Health and Services Manager, Natalie Delana says, “Advocating for a more disability-inclusive, accessible and sustainable community is a big part of who we are.
“We demonstrate this by advocating for holistic NDIS plans that allow our participants to achieve their goals of greater access and inclusion.”
Therapy Care participant Karlee Parkes, who lives with Down Syndrome, dreamt of living more independently and experiencing life in ways that the stigma around disability enforced were beyond her.
Knowing this, Therapy Care has long advocated on Karlee’s behalf. As she has transitioned into early adulthood, there has been an increased need to support her independence. Karlee required a review of her NDIS plan which led to an increase by more than seven times its original size.
“We advocate for our participants by investing time into understanding exactly what they want out of life and therefore identifying what support is needed to make this possible. We then ensure we’re with them every step of the way when it comes to applying for their NDIS plan or putting a case forward for increased funding at review time.
“We do this by accompanying them to the NDIS review, providing the NDIS with materials that support their desired outcome, and undertaking highly regarded assessments that highlight their function, abilities and areas they need support in order to achieve their goals,” says Natalie.
With the increased supports and therapies Karlee is now receiving, her NDIS plan is now life changing.
Karlee receives supports that encourage her independence by educating her about how to create healthy habits to live independently and become more involved in the community.
Karlee’s NDIS plan includes exercise physiology, speech pathology, recreational therapy, nutrition and social supports. Karlee now also works at supported employment two days a week.
Like most primary carers, Karlee’s mother, Kelly Parkes feels the pressure of care. Karlee’s new plan creates the opportunity for Kelly to invest in herself and other children more. She has also been able to accept a full time position at work, which she has historically had to decline due to needing to care for Karlee.
Holistic NDIS plans play a crucial role in creating a disability-inclusive community, as it educates and empowers participants to find their place in the world.
To learn more about how Therapy Care advocates for holistic NDIS plans, get in touch with us by emailing info@therapycare.com.au or calling 02 9626 8119.
#InternationalDayofPeopleLivingwithDisability #IDPwD #IDPwD2020 #DisableStereotypes #InternationalDayofPeopleLivingwithDisability2020
