Anyone started with the NDIS?

[Former-Member]

I have a few more years @eth. S1 still has two years uni left then he's likely to move interstate or overseas for a job. S4 is here for a couple of years too. He started an apprenticeship this year. It will be a bit yet before he can move. I hope you get news of a good phams worker soon and approval from the NDIS. Thinking of you 💜🤗💐

[NikNik]

Hi @eth

I'm sorry to hear that our assistance didn't help. 

I'm so determined to get this fixed! I will send you an email now to follow up.

Nik

[eth]

For anyone still following my NDIS journey .... last week I had a 3 hour session with a mental health occupational therapist (yes, they exist!) and she was extremely thorough and said there are several things she will say in her report that I should be eligible for under the NDIS.  But the shocker is the price to have this done.  Luckily my sister-in-law has contact with Carers NSW and they funded it.  I am also waiting on a report from my new psychologist which will stress that even though her therapy may help improve my cPTSD ,  the bipolar IS permanent and the best to hope for is learning to manage it better e.g. avoidance of triggers (like the extreme stress the NDIS process can cause!).  The next step is to submit these reports with the NDIS form to apply for a 'review of a reviewable decision' to use their language.  I have 3 months from their last letter denying me access to lodge this form.  I will try to get another more specific report from the psychiatrist too.  @MattyToo  @JasJac  @Kurra and others any advice would be welcome.

[eth]

Hi @Former-Member  haven't seen you around the forums today or yesterday.  Hope you are ok.  I was approved for a PHaMs worker last week and started with her this week.  The organisation she works for should help with the NDIS review application too I hope.  

[MattyToo]

@eth thank you for the update, I wish I had some advice but I'm *still* waiting for any decision at all from the ndis!! That's a good point about the mental health ot, if I get rejected I'll look into that for the appeal

[eth]

@MattyToo  I was under the impression you had already been accepted.  How long since you applied?  Do you ring them sometimes to follow them up?  What do they say?

As I understand it you have to request an internal review ('review of a reviewable decision'  form is on their website) before you can appeal through the AAT - Administrative Appeals Tribunal.  Yet more of the NDIS-specific language!

[eth]

So - the saga continues ........  my request for a review of their decision went in about 6 weeks ago.  Since then I've had 2 copies of the same letter 3 weeks apart saying they've received my request but they have a back-log of requests and will get to it when they can.   PFFFFT!!   and $&%#@**

[eth]

Yet again I've been declined.   Long story short : 44 pages of additional reports and evidence still not enough for NDIS.  Was assessed by the same person (against their own stated policy) then we did an official complaint and it went to a higher level but same response.  Clinical psychologist, psychiatrist and GP all saying bipolar is life-long and significant and NDIS say it's not permanent.  I WISH THEY'D TELL THE DOCTORS WHAT THE F'ING CURE IS!!!!  I just found out this morning and have been flat as a tack all day, interspersed with bouts of anger.  This dance has been going since February and is still not over. There are 2 possible paths remaining.  One is to start a whole new application but I have no hope that would result in a different outcome.  The other is to get an official disability advocate involved and take it to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.  Another ordeal.  If it wasn't for my family support I would have given up months ago.   @NikNik or other @Former-Member around I could do with some advice.  I am going under because of all this, despite hypomania for the last 2 months.  Fearing a crash into major depression again.

[Former-Member]

Hi @eth,

I’m sorry to hear they are still giving you such a hard time. I have a friend who was approved for the NDIS on the basis of her bipolar diagnosis. It’s frustrating that different decisions are being made by different bureaucrats.

I managed to get myself connected with Partners in Recovery recently and my support facilitator is helping me with my NDIS application. (There is no way I would have been able to attempt it myself.) I’m not holding my breath though—I don't feel it is likely I will be approved, regardless of what others are saying.

I haven’t even lodged my application yet, but already the experience has been soul-crushing. I do wonder if the NDIA understand the detrimental effects this process is having on people with ‘psychosocial disability’ (they can call it what they like, we know the reality is severe and persistent mental illness).

Hang in there, @eth. Keep venting here.

bookish

[Appleblossom]

Sorry to hear it @eth