Rally for disability rights

By Melissa Meehan
JARROD Marrinon works, hangs out with friends, and went to TAFE.
He is bound to a wheelchair but the 23-year-old does his best to not let that stop him – sometimes it just can’t be helped.
While his able-bodied friends are saving for a house or moving out of home Jarrod is saving for a new wheelchair and relies on his parents to get in and out of bed.
He receives only $8000 every seven years from the government – well short of the $28,000 cost of a new wheelchair.
He goes to bed and gets up when his parents do even if he isn’t tired or wakes up hours before.
He can’t afford a carer so each day his parents work around his needs.
Jarrod doesn’t want to have to rely on them for the rest of his life. He doesn’t think its fair on them to have to plan their work hours around him or be forced into a late retirement because they need to work to support him.
A National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) would make a world of difference.
“Some people are worried it’s going to cost the country, but as far as I am concerned if I’m out and about working in the community I’m more likely to spend my money instead of being stuck at home,” Jarrod said.
“It has been 20 years since the Disability Discrimination Act came into play and we are so far behind other first world countries.”
Jarrod said one of his friends with a disability needed to be kept clean but could only afford a carer to help him shower twice a week.
“Twice a week, that’s all, and then if that day falls on a weekend or public holiday he is down to one shower a week,” Jarrod said.
“He doesn’t have a life on the days he can’t have a shower – it’s just so frustrating.”
Jarrod said the introduction of the NDIS would be similar to that of the TAC and would affect the lives of many Australians.
“I work for a disability organisation Youth Disability Advocacy Service (YDAS) and some of the things I see are just shocking,” he said.
“A lot of people give up on the government and try to do things for themselves but it’s so hard without the support.
“With the NDIS help and support will be an entitlement, not an ongoing battle.”
On Monday Jarrod will speak at the NDIS rally at 9am in Pakenham outside the library and then join a large contingent on their way to Federation Square in Melbourne to take part in the national rally. Everyone is invited.