Polio Survivors Left Out of the NDIS (DisabilityCare Australia)
SBS TV “World News Australia” recently interviewed a number of polio survivors in Sydney about their views on being excluded from the upcoming National Disability Insurance Scheme (now known as DisabilityCare Australia). The report below was broadcast on Wednesday, 5 June 2013.
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SBS News Item Promo (11 secs)
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SBS News Item (3 mins) – The video file size is 35 MB so is best viewed with a broadband internet connection (after clicking the Play button, allow about 30 seconds for the video to buffer before it will start playing).
Download the accompanying SBS News online article
View the videos below to hear more of what the polio survivors and Dr de Graaff had to say, and add your comments on this issue.
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Dr John Tierney OAM, President and National Patron, Polio Australia (2:46)
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Gillian Thomas, Vice President, Polio Australia, and President, Polio NSW (2:35)
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George Laszuk, Office Co-ordinator, Polio NSW (2:14)
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Merle Thompson, Secretary, Polio NSW (1:36)
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Nola Buck, Past President, Polio NSW (1:35)
Also interviewed was Rehabilitation Specialist, Dr Stephen de Graaff, who practices in Melbourne. Steve is one of the very few medical professionals in Australia who are familiar with the diagnosis and management of the late effects of polio. We need more specialists like Steve!
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Dr Stephen de Graaff, Senior Rehabilitation Physician, Epworth Healthcare (3:25)
At long last, there’s focus which moves beyond childhood polio. Thank you for the time and effort in presenting this story to educate and inform the community of the long term effects of polio, not just by interviewing survivors but also by including Dr de Graaff’s vital advice.
Perhaps there could be a follow up of some polio survivors who are unable to equip themselves with the various aids for mobility and who, as a consequence, are restricted socially and economically.
Wendy Davies