I'm in the process of applying for the Disability Support Pension. Wowers what a broken process. I've submitted a huge amount of information. Just had a 35 minute call. A report is then written. Then that report goes to the Disability Team @Centrelink for review. A letter 1/
Will then be generated. Either saying approved/denied/more info. A further review by a GAD Government Approved Doctor may need to take place before a decision is made. I'm living in financial poverty due to #Auspol social welfare policy. Just what am I meant to do in the 2/
Mean time? Reached out to local federal member @stevegeorganas a good local member. But seriously, My understanding is Centrelink is part of @ServicesGovAU formally "Human Services" there is no humanity left in this process. What's being done to me, to gate-keep. 3/
#DSP from making it so hard people give up is borked. Seriously is this the country we want to live in @AlboMP I'm just trying to survive, that's it. Surely @billshortenmp gives a damm and can work to improve this truly perverse system. @lukehgomes my DM's are open, lets chat. 4/
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Something I’ve not posted about is the financial pressure octogenarian and I are under. I’m still learning how to manage his financial affairs as both an unpaid family carer and power of attorney. Last year with two weeks notice, I secured residential aged care (respite) 1/
For my dad, I then had surgery, discharged home, bumped back into hospital and spent essentially 6 months in hospital. While an admitted king stay patient, in the country, up to 90 minutes, one way from home. Here’s some of the things I had to sort through. I’m going forget 2/
Stuff, because this is like when you start to list people in a thank you and you always forget some poor bastard! Anyhow, so after about 4 weeks in inpatient rehab they decide they can’t help me at metro facility. So the way they deal with this is the 3/
I was going to try and detail just some of the hats I wear as a unpaid family carer (for my 83 yo octogenarian father) you know I got overwhelmed at the job list and just started sobbing. yeah, that happened. Probably explains why I can't sleep. I like to resolve things 1/
When you get to the deep level of "hard adulting" I've had to do over the past decade for my dads well being and safety, virtually everything is a mad challenge. How the hell you build skills and resilleance to deal with such, fork me, don't ask me. You've seen my tweets 2/
Over the past few days/weeks/months/years those twitter breaks, where I disappeared without warning, basically a breakdown, I had to withdraw for safety. I see twitter as privilege. It's a privilege to get an insight into other's journey and you share yours. 3/
CW: Mental Health/ Suicide/PTSD
I don’t want to jinks anything but I think I may finally be getting somewhere in sorting out the mess that is my life and insanely complex health issues. I won’t probably comment on how close I got to the advanced stages of planning I got to. 1/
In regards to doing everything possible to not see tomorrow. But let’s just say the past month has been scary. Those times I’ve just disappeared in here? That’s me going to “can’t see the edge cliff, because I’m right on it” because of systemic mismanaged at most levels 2/
Of various health services, It’s challenging to seek support. Because the last time I tried it was handed poorly and I’ve been literally trying to hold on. Ironically my physical disabilities probably saved my life multiple times. Cause fuck with octogenarian in care the 3/
In the state of South Australia in metropolitan #adelaide the #sagov has a #taxi subsidy scheme. Proving 50-75% off the meter up to a cap. Access taxi drivers also get paid a $25 lifting fee. Today is my first journey using the scheme as a full member. Todays booking has been 1/
The smoothest in terms of the access taxi (wheelchair taxi) turning up on time and the driver being happy, cheerful and relaxed. Contrast to my previous experience off driver accepting, rejecting, waiting for another driver to accept. Those without access to the subsidy are 2/
I used to be confused when I heard people with disabilities describe “winning” or having a battle with something. Right now which battle would you like to pick? Loved catching up with my 83yo father today in aged care, we had lunch together 1/
But hell the reality check was gut wrenching, I knew I’d find issues, probably only that I could advocate to remedy. Today I addressed one concern, left others I have to follow up and one that was made worse. The telling thing, my dad is in 24/7 2/
Residential aged care, where help is literally a button press away. When my parents separated, I literally stepped in, the son became the carer. With the marriage dissolved, new legals in place. I became the sole substitute decision maker, if deemed unable to for himself. 3/
Good news from my private knee orthopaedic yesterday. I’ve not re-torn the medial meniscus, we’re going to assume I’ve bruised bone. So I have to reduce my step count/impact to let the body recover. Means I will 💯 have to use a wheelchair to mobilise. The knee walker is 1/
Is taking a break. To be really clear, I will do what I have to, I’d rather stand and walk, but right now, outside of transfers I need help my body recover. I’ve got a little over 5 weeks then it should be hydrotherapy 5 times a week. So now is the time to off load build 2/
Upper body strength, use the country time to mentally regroup, because once I’m back in Adelaide, boy! Have I got one hell of a battle to get my on my feet again. That’s without the challenge at end of month, what to do with octogenarian. Still struggling with supports here. 3/