This image of a matchstick house burning is a bit dramatic, but it does represent how we felt around the end of 2022. As we alluded to in the previous post, our family experienced a major ‘down’ in August 2022 when (amongst other things) the NDIA – without notice – significantly cut Mitchell’s funding. What we were left with was not enough to maintain the support and care of Mitchell we had spent the last four years building.
It took 8 months and 22 days, but we eventually got Mitchell’s resources restored! We had to wrestle with the NDIA through an internal review process. We had to ride the merry-go-round that is the external review process – lodging the matter with the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT), dealing with the NDIA’s lawyers, getting Legal Aid support for Mitchell. Dealing with what can feel like an endless cycle of questions, reports, and meetings.
We also put ourselves through the NDIA’s Independent Expert Review process in an (ultimately successful) attempt to bring a quick end to the whole process. All that effort, all that time, all that money, just to get back to where we were mid-2022.
… the anguish aging parents experience dealing with the NDIA to get the right care for their disabled adult child …
We made sure Mitchell’s care was not compromised but the process took its toll on us, his parents, both physically and mentally. We have read too many media articles about the anguish aging parents experience dealing with the NDIA to get the right care for their disabled adult child. We can now say, from personal experience, that the NDIA is a bureaucratic nightmare↗ to deal with. The most heart-breaking aspect of our experience is the casual indifference the NDIA appears to have for people with disability – they are just an expenditure to manage, a budget to cut.
A few friends asked us to plot out how we navigated our way through the whole process – see the link below.
Though nearly nine months felt like forever, we know people can spend years on the ‘merry-go-round’ before getting an outcome.
Please note what we have documented draws on the advice available to us, and the actions we took, at a point in time. We expect that at some point in 2024 the AAT will be replaced by the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART)↗. You can read more about the ART here↗.
4 thoughts on “8 months and 22 days – the journey to restore Mitchell’s supports
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”Fabulous resource to help other who unfortunately might need to travel this road. This will help them navigate the path and it shows the resilience you showed in making sure Mitchell got a fair result.
Wow, it’s incredible to hear about the resilience and determination of parents who have had to navigate the internal review process with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). Dealing with bureaucratic systems can be overwhelming, but these parents have shown remarkable strength in their pursuit of the best possible outcome for Mitchell.
The shared experiences and resources they have provided are invaluable in helping others facing similar challenges. By sharing their knowledge and insights, they are creating a supportive community and ensuring that others have access to the information they need to navigate the process effectively.
It’s heartening to see how Graham and Ross are not only advocating for Mitchell but also actively working to improve the system for others. Their efforts not only benefit their own family but also contribute to a more inclusive and supportive environment for all individuals with disabilities.
Well done for your unwavering commitment and for selflessly sharing your experiences. Your resilience and generosity serve as an inspiration to others facing similar hurdles.
Beautifully said Maria. This family is truly a gift. Best wishes to all. Cxxx
Thank you, Carolyn!