Gary gets a new mobility scooter

As a result, he was on life support and family had been called in to say their goodbyes.

After doctors took the ventilator off Gary, by some miracle or just sheer stubbornness, Gary kept breathing and improving.

Once Gary woke up doctors were able to run some tests and found the he had suffered damage to his sight in his left eye, had weakness in his left hand and leg which at the time rendered him unable to walk.

Through determination, willpower and rehabilitation Gary was able to walk out of the hospital.

This now imposed some limitations on a once fit and vibrant man. Whilst he was able to walk, Gary was only able to go short distances and was unable to independently collect his shopping, or go further than the main street without great difficulty.

With the help of his niece and Bucketts Way Neighbourhood Disability Services, Gary applied for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) starting his first plan in August 2018.

During the first year Gary was able to be supported in his daily tasks, get adaptive equipment to help be independent in his home, go shopping in the local community and attend appointments further afield.

While all this was going well, Gary really wanted to be as independent as possible and posed the question, "Would they let me have a scooter? That way I wouldn't have to rely on as many people and I could get to places I want to go in town when I want."

BWNG Disability Services worked with an external occupational therapy provider to do a trial and justification process to submit to the NDIS for approval.

As part of his new plan, Gary has become the brand new owner of a mobility scooter, which has improved his capability of being independent in town, now being able to visit people, go shopping, attend events.

Did you know?

NDIS is designed to support a better life for hundreds of thousands of Australians with a significant and permanent disability and their families and carers.