Vol. 19 No. 27
FREE PUBLICATION
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
Summer days Janene Coutts and her dog Millie sought respite from soaring Wimmera temperatures by taking a paddle on the Wimmera River in Horsham. After yesterday’s 38-degree day the temperature is expected to remain in the mid-to-high 20s for the rest of the week. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
Advocate steps up A
BY SARAH SCULLY
Horsham mother of a son with a disability has used the rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme to put up her hand to help other families in a similar situation.
Alma McKenzie will launch a peer support group following NDIS information sessions in Horsham on January 30. The scheme is being rolled out across Australia and will allow people with a disability or their families to choose support and services to meet their individual needs.
IN THIS ISSUE
Mrs McKenzie said she had considered ways she could become an advocate for the disability sector for years. “When the NDIS came along I thought, I could help with that,” she said. “I am very passionate about ensuring people with disabilities have the appropriate support to lead a fulfilling quality of life, focusing on their abilities to achieve their goals, ambitions and inspirations and inclusion into the community to widen and enhance their social and personal connections and not on their disabilities.” Mrs McKenzie said she attended a VALID – Victorian Advocacy League
for Individuals with Disability – meeting in November, which provided information about the NDIS and how to prepare for it. “After speaking with David Craig from VALID I decided to help set up a peer support group for others preparing for the NDIS,” she said. “The meetings will be open to anyone who supports a person with a disability and who would like to be more informed and learn about preparing for the NDIS. “The aim of these support meetings is to share ideas and experiences and to enhance people’s knowledge on the NDIS.
“People will learn from each other, support each other, have more awareness and be in a better position to make choices about the NDIS funding packages. “We will have guest speakers available at our meetings to answer any questions or queries, sharing ideas and advice.” Mrs McKenzie said dates and times for support group meetings would be determined after the Horsham information sessions. Disability services provider The Tipping Foundation will run the sessions in conjunction with VALID. The foundation has almost 50 years’
experience in the disability sector and more than three years with NDIS. Mrs McKenzie’s son Garth has been receiving support from The Tipping Foundation for the past 16 years, including ongoing help to live in his own home. “I’m very positive about the NDIS, as it will allow Garth to live a fulfilling life with the flexible support he needs,” she said. “The NDIS will give us peace of mind as parents, knowing that Garth’s needs will always be met, even when we can no longer care for him.” Continued page 3
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