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Health and Disability- Andrea's Story on NDIS: Finding Strength, Support, and Herself Again
- Jacqui Grant
- May 3
- 4 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Connect and Grow Magazine Issue 20 May 2025
At 45 years old, Andrea never imagined she'd need to relearn how to navigate her daily life with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) for over a decade; she had always met challenges head-on with grit, grace, and a little dark humour. But as her condition progressed, Andrea found herself needing a wheelchair most of the time and increasingly reliant on others for daily tasks like dressing, cooking, and simply getting out of bed.
"Losing independence is one of the hardest parts," Andrea says. "It's not just physical. It chips away at your identity."
🧩 A Frustrating Start
Andrea struggled to access the National Insurance Scheme (NDIS) despite her increasing needs. She applied four times, and the paperwork felt more overwhelming each time than the diagnosis itself.
"I kept hearing 'you're not eligible' or 'your disability is not permanent, yet MS is a clear condition that becomes worse rather than better. She recalls. "I feel invisible.
It was emotionally exhausting—not just the applications, but the sense that no one understood the reality of progressive illness. But Andrea didn't give up. With the support of a persistent occupational therapist and a local disability advocate, she tried one last time.
And this time, she was finally accepted.
🔄 Turning Point
Getting access to the NDIS marked the beginning of a transformation in Andrea's daily life and confidence.
"It didn't fix everything overnight. But for the first time, I had hope," she says.
After several letters/emails, phone calls and planning meetings, a plan for 2 years was finally given to Andrea with the following services.
Daily personal care assistance
Meal preparation services
Mobility equipment and a customised wheelchair
Home modifications for safer access
Allied health therapies
Support Coordination
Plan manager
But most importantly, she now has choice and control—two words that had felt out of reach for years.
Now, having an NDIS plan is not always easy. You would think it is straightforward, but it's not. Many of the supports are stated, which means they can only be used for things such as Occupational therapy and physiotherapy.
Andrea shared: "I was given funding in my plan for a support coordinator, and I was grateful. I had no idea where to start, and living on my own, dealing with the symptoms of MS, it was a relief to know that I would have help. It really didn't work that way; the turnover of support coordinators in the business I approached was high; I have now had 6 support coordinators in the past 2 years."
Support Coordinators are closing their doors as funding decreases continue.
When I asked Andrea why so many support coordinators, she shared, "Many of them closed their doors; the funding in my plan was simply not enough" for them to take me on. It was 40 hours for 2 years, which is insufficient for them to do their job. However, it didn't stop many of them from using some of the funding and only speaking to me on the phone a couple of times.""
Eventually, Andrea found a support coordinator who assisted her in finding the right support workers and allied health professionals. It took a few months, but eventually, the right people were in place.
💪 Rebuilding Life, Her Way
With the proper support, Andrea has rediscovered joy in the small things. She now has the energy to read again, listen to podcasts while seated at her accessible kitchen bench, and host her nieces for "lazy Sunday brunches." She's also joined a peer group for women with MS, where she shares her story and encourages others not to give up.
My body has changed, but my mind hasn't. I've just learned new ways to honour it" 💡 Andrea's Advice to Others
"Keep pushing. Don't take no as final. Find people who'll advocate for you, like I've just done for you. The support is out there, and just like me, you deserve it." Andrea's advice for others living with a disability.
Andrea's journey reminds us that disability support isn't about services—it's about restoring dignity, choice, and the freedom to live on your terms."
Written by
Jacqui Grant
(Business Coach, internal auditor, with over 39 years’ experience in Health and Disability
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Disclaimer: All information is accurate at the time of publication and is subject to change. Always check the NDIS website for the most up to date information as things are changing.
