A MOUNT Gambier amputee has expressed his frustration with the roll-out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), revealing he is still waiting for a wheelchair and a custom-made prosthetic leg.
Andrew Lynch – who had his leg removed by surgeons 12 months ago – is rallying together other amputees across the region to push for more services.
While Mr Lynch can no longer remain upright for lengthy periods, he yesterday vowed to stand up for other amputees and people with disabilities.
Mr Lynch has spoken out amid the growing cracks in services and the difficulty some people are experiencing with the transition from Disability SA to the new national scheme.
“Some people are finding it difficult to get things moving through the NDIS – I don’t think people are getting enough help,” Mr Lynch said.
It is understood some NDIS participants are having difficulty having their new plans and services finalised.
“I have only got an interim prosthetic leg, it is not mine, and I am sure I am not the only one in this position,” Mr Lynch told The Border Watch.
“The temporary one I have is actually broken because it is second hand. It could be more than 12 months until I get a prosthetic leg.
“Unless I pay more than $25,000 outright for a prosthetic, I will have to wait.”
Charity organisation Limbs for Life, along with regional amputees, is spearheading the establishment of an amputee support group in Mount Gambier given the number of challenges people are facing.
An information session will be held at Country Health Connect – at the Mount Gambier Hospital site – on Friday, August 17, from 11am to 1pm.
Moreover, Mr Lynch said he was also waiting for a wheelchair, as well as a wet prosthetic he could use in the shower.
“I’m not the only one in this position,” said Mr Lynch, who explained he was currently using a temporary 10-year-old wheelchair he was renting from the hospital.
“I still don’t know when I am getting a wheelchair – I still don’t have an answer from the NDIS. I signed up with the NDIS in January.”
He revealed his rented wheelchair was heavy and difficult to manage and was not customised for his requirements.
Mr Lynch – who suffered peripheral vascular disease for many years – lost his leg 12 months ago.
Praising the surgeons for saving his leg for as long as possible, he said ongoing blockages meant the long-term prognosis for his leg was poor and surgery was just a short-term fix.
“I had another blockage and the surgeons said they could fix it, but they couldn’t guarantee it would last longer than three months. I thought ‘let’s move forward’.”
While the amputation was initially above the knee, surgeons later had to further amputate below the knee due to serious infection.
He revealed there were no government funded counselling services provided at that time.
“I want to push for services that will not only benefit myself, but other people and the community,” Mr Lynch added.
He said some amputees were in desperate need of counselling and support services.
“When losing a limb, it is like losing a family member – you grieve over it,” Mr Lynch said.
“Some people need counselling, some don’t.”
Mr Lynch has also organised a “meet and greet” on Saturday, August 11, between 2pm and 4pm at the Mount Gambier Community RSL, for amputees, their families and carers.
“People need support and back-up. We need to get together to discuss support mechanisms for each year and petition for what we need to get done,” he explained.
“As amputees, we know what we need – everybody is welcome.”
According to a statement from the National Disability Insurance Agency, the transition of state clients had taken longer than originally scheduled.
“The NDIA is dedicating all available resources to complete planning for state and Commonwealth clients in South Australia as soon as possible,” the statement said.
The agency said the focus after June 30, 2018, would be developing quality plans with participants over the following six months.
It is expected planning for state clients will be completed by December and planning for Commonwealth clients will be completed by June 30, 2019.
To register for the amputee support group information session visit www.trybooking.com/WKIR or call tollfree 1300 78 2231.
