This article tells the story of Jack, a homeless man with psychosocial disabilities, and his journey towards a better life through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). It highlights the impact of the NDIS in empowering individuals like Jack to take control of their lives, pursue their goals, and overcome past traumas.
The first time I met Jack* nearly three years ago, he was asleep on a bench behind a train station. Even before he opened his eyes, I knew it was him: tall, white beard – a perfect match to my occupational therapy referral form description.
At the time, those dreams felt unattainable to him, haunted as he was by past experiences: cycles of homelessness, revolving-door hospital admissions, being labelled “non-compliant” for avoiding rigid day programs, and the humiliation of simply walking into a supermarket and having someone call the police after they deemed him to be unsafe.Jack had every reason to be wary. Having encountered so many systems that eroded trust, it took time to build rapport.
This is what the NDIS can do when it works as intended: it is transformative and cost-effective, not only by freeing people from the expensive revolving doors of hospital and justice systems, but by unlocking their ability to live meaningful, connected lives. Yet the reality is that these changes only add further uncertainty to participants and leave them deeply worried about the future. When we speak, Jack expresses a fear I’ve heard others echo. He’s dreading the phone call that might strip away the supports that have allowed him to stand on his own two feet.
Disability Healthcare NDIS Psychosocial Disability Homelessness Occupational Therapy Empowerment
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