Friday 9 March 2012

I'm still here

Apologies for my blogging slackness (if there is such a word). It's been crazy busy in this neck of the woods. I've become the sole breadwinner again, after Robs employer ran out of work and had to let him go :( Ironically, due to Centrelink policies and bungles, he can't get any help from the job agency for 3 weeks. *insert expletives here*.

So, my life has again become a concoction of strange working hours, on top of the usual mummy/therapist/political campaigning stuff. Only, I haven't had the time for political campaigning this week. I'm really hoping that I don't lose the momentum I've created so far.

Following the article in the Herald Sun, late last week, I received an email from Jenny Macklin's Office (Minister for Disability Reform). The department have offered me the chance to speak with a senior officer. They are going to 'explain' the Carer Payment Policies to me. I'm not sure when this is going to happen, but I'll definitely be blogging about it afterwards.

Thank you to everyone who has helped me get this far. Thank you for all the encouraging messages, they are helping me to stay strong.

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/babies-have-special-needs-too/signatures.html

Don't forget to sign and share, if you haven't already! Thanks!





(Max is turning 1 in a few weeks! Holy moly, my baby is growing up so fast!!)

3 comments:

  1. What a load of crap! A senior officer to 'explain' their policies to you. You get it - it is they who don't understand it!!!

    Don't let that senior officer patronise you. Make sure you stay strong and have a counter argument for every one of their bloody policy points.

    I feel angry for you. That is so bloody patronising!!

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  2. I know, isn't it!!?

    I had to keep reminding myself of your comment about not swearing, when I replied. I just wish I knew when they were calling, so I could be on my game. At the moment, I have a splitting 'Max headache' and would probably end up screaming at them (not particularly endearing!!)

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  3. Good Luck with your meeting. I am a mum of a profoundly disabled little boy with extremely severe CP. We qualify for Carer Payment based on his disability but have been told we wouldn't get it based on our income - we have a combined income of over $65K. $65K gross isn't a huge income in the grand scheme of things - I have written asking for the threshold to be lifted but never get a response.
    I don't know if you know any more about this cut off level. We also applied for the Carer Adjustment payment and they knocked us back claiming his brain injury didn't occur between certain dates in a particular year (can't remember the exact information). We too have done o'seas therapies that have made a huge difference and now have an 8yo in mainstream school, working age appropriately and expected to leave school with university level grades. Not bad for the kid once described as the most disabled child ever to be mainstreamed. But... the Carer Payment for us would make a huge difference, we are almost broke, we spend all our time on waiting lists and have to self fund everything. I look forward to seeing what you can glean from Ms Macklin's office

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