Hopes raised on national disability funding

By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS

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A DANDENONG West couple hope their long-fought goal for better disability funding will soon be realised after a stirring National Disability Insurance Scheme rally in Federation Square last Monday.

Peter and Kaye Taylor – who featured in the Weekly last month – and their 45-year-old dependent daughter Donna were among 3000 families at the rally.

Mr Taylor said he was sceptical of Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s announcement on the day that part of the scheme would begin early, from July next year.

“This scheme was first mooted in 1981 and was knocked back at the last minute. But it looks like we’re seeing results for everyone’s hard work. It seems like we’re being backed from all quarters, which is absolutely unbelievable.”

Both 68, the Taylors care full-time for Donna, who has cerebral palsy, a spine twisted by scoliosis, spastic quadraplegia and an intellectual disability. Without the NDIS, they fear their daughter will join a 2000-strong waiting list for accommodation.

Gerry and Marie Weldon of Noble Park have been on a three-year waiting list for accommodation for their 38-year-old son Daniel, and were heartened that “both sides of politics” supported the rally.

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