Anyone started with the NDIS?

[eth]

@Former-Member @Former-Member @Appleblossom @Mazarita @MattyToo and anyone else here. Today was the case conference in the morning with the  Administrative Appeals Tribunal representative, a lawyer for the NDIS, my Disability Advocate, my sister-in-law (nominee) and brother.  I found myself being quized by a lawyer for NDIS about clinical matters that should be answered by a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist.  Luckily I had sil and bro with me and they bailed the lawyer up and told her to put her questions in writing.  Nevertheless I was in tears several times in the hour-long teleconference and very fearful about consequences of everything I said.  There will be another one in January where we will have a lawyer from legal aid on board.  Hopefully that will take the pressure off me.  But it's clear more assessments will have to be done.  They want to know what bipolar causes and what cPTSD causes - I think it's impossible to separate them as they impact on each other.  Enough said maybe - just saying it's been a harrowing and depressing day and I've been resting ever since but don't feel recovered from it.  It's impossible for me to get my hopes up about all this.  The initial access request was back in February.  A roller coaster ride with way more downs than ups.

[Former-Member]

Oh, @eth.   I’m so sorry you’re being put through all this. It’s so not right. 

[eth]

Thankyou @Former-Member.  I really hope it's easier for you.

[catgirl]

@eth thanks for the link ...i am a bit overwhelmed at the ndis application process...i have my case worker helping me but she can only write down what i say so having to do alot of thinking...STRESS...i keep having to get extensions because i have to gather so much information from doctors and support workers...even my phsyciatrist is a bit lost in the process...from what i can gather from talking to other people is that it is a complicated lengthy process..
good on ya government...way to make vulnerable people way more stressed than they meed to be...will check in here when i have more info on my application
catgirl🐾

[eth]

Hi @catgirl  I would say at 1st application 2 things are most important to have in your reports:

1.  that your psychosocial diagnosis is life-long and significant (their language);

2.  the functional impact on you day to day.

It's really important to present to them your worst day scenario.  

Unfortunately this process makes it almost impossible to be focused on having more better days while you go through it.  

[catgirl]

@eth ...yep i am focusing on phsycosocial problems and functional impact ...which you know are the labels they have put on the elligability criterea....i saw my case worker yesterday and we went through what im like on my really bad days..things like eating cooking showering and general self care socialising and housework and other things that negatively impact my life on a regular basis...i will let you know any updates on my application
catgirl🐾

[eth]

@catgirl A lot of people in a fb group I'm in have found it very helpful to have a report from an occupational therapist.  There are some who specialise in mental health.

[catgirl]

@eth ...yeh my case worker(who is an angel sent from heaven) is organising for an OT to visit me at home...unfortunately im not on FB ...but might join as there seems to be alot of great groups out there
catgirl🐾

[eth]

Hi @catgirl @bookish @JazzHands @Mazarita and anyone else following this thread.  This week another teleconference, this time with the disability advocate and the legal aid solicitor now acting on my behalf with the AAT appeal.  I hadn't met the solicitor for our side before and she seems to be on the ball.  She had actually read up the history of my request for access and the reports etc before our meeting which was reassuring.  I felt a glimmer of hope after the phone call for the first time in ages.  She particularly pointed out the NDIS solicitor's failure to comply with the previous case conference agreement and stated she will raise this at the next meeting with them and the AAT representative (Feb 18) and will escalate to a 'Directions Order' from the AAT if necessary.  Interesting times.  All I can do now is hurry up and wait (joke).

I will have to write a report about the functional impact of my 'psychosocial disabilities' but not before the next meeting and our solicitor will send me an outline/guideline for writing it.  Daunting but I have quite a collection of files now on what is needed by the NDIS.  Including a list of questions asked at a planning meeting that someone on fb managed to get hold of which looks very useful.  And a sample letter requesting access to NDIS.  I am unable to post links to these files at this time but am happy to answer questions.

[eth]

@Former-Member @Former-Member am I allowed to name the fb group that has the files attached to it?  I could email you the name of the group so you can check the files yourself for content.