22/04/2026
Today's announcement at the National press club by Minister Mark Butler, Minister for health and ageing, has been like that difficult conversation you know you need to have with someone, you try to put it off but you just can't. You have to listen, you need to sit with the information at hand and then determine how it is going to effect you but most importantly how is it going to impact all of the participants, their families, their informal supports and their mental and emotional wellbeing.
In recent weeks the media around the NDIS has been very challenging to see or to listen to. It has created a conversation around disability, plans, fraud and provider behaviour. But what has had much less of a voice, or from what I have been exposed to, is the NDIS for the people who it was created for. The amazing difference it makes or can make with someone being supported, to be seen for who they are and not just for their disability. To live a life of equity and beauty.
Human rights matter here!
As a daughter of parents with disabilities it has been REALLY hard to sit with! I have thought about saying something on here but have really not wanted to weigh into a debate that quite honestly makes me feel sick. I know all to well what support looks like if funding is reduced or is not made easy to access in mainstream supports. I know what it is like to have parents who have had to fight for even the most basic of support to help them live.
As someone who works within the NDIS it hurts me to see the reported fraud and vulnerable people being taken advantage of. Simple. It is not acceptable that anyone has taken the opportunity to defraud a scheme made to help people living with a permanent disability.
My work is deep rooted in social justice, peer work values, deep decades long lived experience to provide the best possible support/service I can to the people who I am lucky enough to work for.
As an Independent provider, I consider it a deep honour to be invited into someone's life. Whatever that looks like. I work so hard in this job. My chosen career. I want to be the absolute best I can be supporting people to achieve their goals, to access the community and to help them be seen for the kind hearted wonderful humans they are.
I chose this job because I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to see people for who they are and not their diagnosis. I do not operate for financial gain/profit. I operate to truly make a difference. As the people I work for achieve that next goal I feel so honoured to be a part of it. It is the most heart warming rewarding work.
So today feels hard. It will be feeling hard for every participant and their families. It will feel hard right across the disability sector. So as your social media newsfeed is loaded with commentary, Facebook group questions, news, print media articles or podcasters having their say and adding their two cents. I will say I have already and will be heading back to nature. I have shared a couple of photos below of this insanely huge leaf i just found that might just make my day.
If you have a garden or some plants in pots. I encourage you to pop the phone down and go hang out with nature. It certainly doesn't change the important things happening but it will give your mind an opportunity to rest for what can feel like a roller-coaster of information and emotions. If you don't have a garden maybe distract yourself with a movie, an early night or whatever it is that gives you some calm.
Be kind to yourself first.
Any changes won't happen overnight so we have time to detach from what can feel overwhelming today. Distraction can give our mind and heart some moments to rest. It is my go to therapy for difficult times.
You matter. Your wellbeing matters.
Be kind to yourself first. 💙
Kristy
