Compensation finally paid for a ‘hard’ life

Each week we will publish a pic showing the Ailan way of life in the Torres Strait and the NPA – the kids swimming, a BBQ at the beach, fishing, scenic shot, etc – from local photographers and readers across our region. Just email us your pic of Ailan Life along with your name, phone number and a 25-word description to ads@torres.news

This week’s pics were submitted by Ellen Mosby and Cathy Foster.

ABOVE: Ellen’s pic was taken from Friday Island looking over to Prince of Wales and TI with Horn Island in the back ground – the view straight from her doorstep.

“As the sun creeps up on us on this glorious day, this breathtaking moment, created by only the one Man who never complains. For He is the Man with the plan,” Ellen said.

BELOW: Cathy’s pic was taken on Horn Island. “My favourite retreat in front yard of my home. This small beach has been maintained by myself and my family for years,” Cathy said. Ellen and Cathy are now in the draw to win this month’s $150 gift card! Good luck!

RELIEVED: Bai Tapau - happy to be alive for the life changing payment.

By the time safety fears led to it being pulled from sale thousands of babies worldwide had been affected.

Bai Tapau, who was born with two short arms because her mother was prescribed thalidomide before her birth, has received a substantial compensation payment from the government.

The 47 year old said she thought she would be dead before receiving any compensation after living a “hard” life with an extreme disability.

Bai was born in Townsville but grew up on Mer where she learnt to be an artist whilst looking at the reefs.

Bai told the Torres News that after several years of campaigning, she has received a letter from the Government advising she would receive a lump sum payment as well as an additional, tax-free amount annually.

“All my life I have had to live with this disability and have never had a life like normal people,” she said.

“I can’t drive a car or do other things that people do.

“This was good news but it has taken years.”

The payment was made through the Australian Thalidomide Survivors Support Program (ATSSP) and Bai had to go through a rigorous process to make her application.

“I could not have done it without the support of my sister Ellen who has been a tower of strength,” she said.

The ATSSP was introduced by the Federal Government in the 2020/21 budget after almost a decade of campaigning by survivors, of whom there are estimated to be around 125 in Australia.

Thalidomide was used by expectant mothers to control symptoms of morning sickness.

It was originally prescribed as a “wonder drug” for morning sickness, headaches, coughs, insomnia and colds.

Thalidomide babies often suffered missing or deformed limbs and extreme shortening of arms and legs, but the drug also caused malformations of the eyes and ears, genitals, heart, kidneys and digestive tract.

Until now Bai has struggled financially on a disability pension and has a support worker with NDIS assistance.

I asked Bai how the payment would change her life and she said she would buy a car.

“I will buy a RAM and won’t be able to drive it myself but my support worker will – we can drive around and I can enjoy the scenery,” Bai said.

“I will also do some renovations to my house which aren’t covered by the NDIS.”

Bai has almost died twice in the past few years, since her application was made, and she never thought she would be alive to receive payment.

Her thoughts were of the number of Stolen Wages applicants who passed away before receiving payments.

“Over the years I have been laughed at and people stare at me all the time and treat me like I am an alien,” she said.

“I have been bullied.

“But I am a Christian and have been inspired by my love of God and it has been his will that I have survived for this.

“I still have the health issues from the side effects of thalidomide and it has been hard life.”

It was Ellen who first found out about ATSSP after reading about it –what followed was a rigorous process including doctor’s reports to prove she was a thalidomide baby.

Both Bai and Ellen said the mothers of thalidomide babies should also receive compensation.

“They were the ones who were told to take thalidomide and have been forgotten,” Bai said.

“My mum Margaret, who lives on Mer, has ongoing health issues.”

She said she wanted to thank everybody who helped with her application “from the bottom of my heart”, including the Torres News and Koori Mail, and the Benevolent Society, who Bai said had also assisted her greatly.