Rural Lifestyle Options Australia Magazine Issue 11

LEXIE'S ndis JOURNEY

Thanks to the NDIS, the future is looking bright for Lexie! Lexie’s journey in the lead up to successfully being funded for the NDIS is unfortunately not an uncommon one, approaching Rural Lifestyle Options Australia following an initial rejection of her original application. General Manager Disability Services, Mr Shane Ferguson assisted Lexie with her application. "We started out by reviewing the NDIS decision and then collating further evidence to support the application. The challenge appears to be with the information local General Practicitions are providing on the NDIS applications. Without being critical of this, the medical model discussed participants in terms of priority from a medical basis rather than discussing disabilities and impacts of this on daily life." Rural Lifestyle Options Australia provided some guidance to the local general practicitions and attended with Lexie to ensure that the questions the NDIS had were being addressed. An updated functional assessment was required to assess post rehab skills for development and deterioration. According to Mr Shane Ferguson, this was a long process

for everyone involved but ended with the correct decision being made once all the information was sourced. On her fifth attempt, with each knock back more disheartening than the last, Lexie's funding was finally approved, and now her future is looking brighter than ever. According to Lexie, Mr Shane Ferguson encouraged her to be optimistic every step of the way. “We were downhearted, but Shane kept saying “Don’t worry Lexie, we will get there” and we did in the end!” reminisces Lexie. Lexie’s NDIS package has granted her a freedom she hasn’t had in years. It has allowed her to participate regularly in social outings and given her focus to pursue her own personal goals. “The support workers are great, they take me out. I’ve been everywhere, I’ve been up to The Shed, which is an Olive Farm at Rathdowney. You sit up on top of a big hill on a big veranda and when you out you have beautiful views of the mountains. I’ve been to Darlington, the pubs downtown, I even went to Mondaze at Flagstone!” Outside of increased social participation, Lexie aspires to use her funding to assist her husband, Dave more in the kitchen.

12 Rural Lifestyle Options Australia Magazine

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