Telethon funds blow to Lis

A Baldivis mother has been told the State Government would not pick up the bill for her disabled daughter to attend Telethon this year because of a realignment of funding.

Telethon is the highlight of Lis Charles’ year.

She has raised thousands of dollars for the worthy cause over the years.

In previous years, Lis would stay with her carer at a Perth hotel to attend the event, with the cost covered by the Disability Services Commission’s respite funding.

However, after a realignment this year, Lis’ mother Carolynne was told the Government would not pay for the overnight trip.

“It is the highlight of her year — she will start looking now to see what date it is on next year,” Mrs Charles said.

“I received a letter from the Minister (of Disability Services) saying we need to stay in the (National Disability Insurance Scheme) guidelines but we are not in the catchment area so that doesn’t apply to us.

“The reason we were told we couldn’t access the funding was because the carer was staying with Lissy in the motel.

“We can’t pay for a carer to stay with her overnight — but it would be the same thing as if I accessed the respite funding elsewhere (with another provider).

“The rules have changed. It doesn’t make sense — life is hard enough without more rules being put in place and them not being able to tell me why.”

After hearing of Lis’ plight, Kwinana MLA Roger Cook agreed to cover the cost of her stay in Perth to attend Telethon.

WA Labor candidate for Baldivis Reece Whitby presented a cheque to the family last week.

“This seems a very mean-spirited act and I think it is linked to budget cuts given the department has agreed to pay for the cost in the past,” he said. “When budget cuts impact someone like Lis, surely to goodness a State like WA can pick up the tab as she is raising money for the appeal and looks forward to it all year.”

A Disability Services spokeswoman said the department did not comment on individual cases but funding was linked to the person’s situation.

“In line with the principles of the NDIS, people with disability receive funding and support based on what is deemed to be reasonable and necessary,” she said. “The supports and services that people receive will be related to their disability, with the aim of helping them achieve the goals they have outlined in their individual plan.”