October 18th 2024.
Tracee Forth, a 51-year-old woman from Hervey Bay, Queensland, has been facing a difficult situation for the past 18 months. Due to a fall in the shower, she suffered two protruding discs in her spine and has been struggling with reduced mobility ever since. This has greatly impacted her daily life, making even simple tasks like bathing or toileting nearly impossible without assistance from two people.
Before her fall, Tracee had applied for funding through the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to make her bathroom more accessible. However, the fall made these modifications even more crucial for her, and she tried to escalate her application. She also hired two additional support workers to help her while she waited. Unfortunately, 18 months have passed, and Tracee has yet to see any progress with her application.
As a result, Tracee has had to rely on unconventional and undignified methods to stay clean. After the fall, she used the accessible bathroom at a local pool three times a week. However, when the pool closed for renovations, she had to resort to using her outdoor spa. But as her mobility deteriorated, this became an unsuitable option. She then hired a mobile accessible bathroom, but it was not set up properly and even caused her to fall out of her wheelchair.
With no other options, Tracee has been trying to clean herself with a damp cloth at the kitchen sink or in bed when the pain is too severe. She's also unable to use the toilet in her wheelchair and has had to rely on a commode by her bed. This has been a humiliating and distressing experience for her.
Despite her multiple attempts to escalate her application, Tracee has had no luck. She's now seeking to build an extension on her home to accommodate a fully accessible bathroom. However, the cost is steep, with quotes ranging from $120,000 to $135,000. She's only seeking $60,000 from the NDIA, with the rest of the cost being covered by herself. However, the NDIA has strict guidelines and requires sufficient evidence before approving funding for complex home modifications.
Tracee's situation has taken a toll on her mental health, and she fears that without the necessary modifications, she may end up hospitalized. Her support worker, Jayne Solomons-Mitchell, started an online fundraiser to help her get the support she needs. However, she believes that Tracee is just one of many people who have fallen through the cracks of the medical and NDIS world.
Tracee just wants to be able to bathe and use the toilet with dignity again. She's holding on to hope that her application will eventually be approved, despite all the setbacks. The NDIA has stated that they prioritize the safety and well-being of participants and will continue to work with Tracee to provide her with the necessary supports. However, they have also mentioned that her application lacks appropriate evidence.
The NDIA has not provided any further details regarding Tracee's application or the evidence required for it to be approved. But for now, Tracee continues to struggle with her daily tasks and hopes for a positive outcome in the future.
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