Lyn, Claire and Goal Coach make life-changing progress
Lyn Kemperman strongly believes in the right of NDIS participants to have a scheme that gives them a better quality of life, and she’s putting this into action with support from Goal Coach.
When her daughter Claire was given a new NDIS plan that wouldn’t support her goals, it completely limited her choice and control and options around living a good life. Claire has high support needs, severe and complex behaviours and anxiety which require specific expertise and well-coordinated services to support her properly.
One of Claire’s goals was to move to a home where she felt safe and was able to live her best life.
“Claire has so much to offer, and it’s really about getting her the right supports for her to reach her full potential,’ explains Lyn.
Not having the appropriate type of accommodation included in Claire’s plan has already seen her subjected to abuse and neglect with a provider who couldn’t support her properly.
“We’re not fighting for anything Claire doesn’t need or deserve,” Lyn says. “It’s very tiring and I get emotional, but I’m prepared to take this as far as it can go.”
It was clear early on that Claire required an individual specialist disability accommodation (SDA) setting, but when Claire’s plan excluded this, Lyn took it up with the NDIA.
“Four conference calls with the NDIA got us nowhere. So I decided to take the case to an Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) hearing.”
“I thought, ‘oh no, what have I done?” Lyn says.
That’s when she called Goal Coach.
“Initially I just wanted some advice, to know where I should go to figure out the next steps.”
That was many months ago, and Goal Coach has been there every step of the way. Lyn said the process has been long and arduous, and she couldn’t have done it without Goal Coach by her side.
“The NDIS is so complicated, so even just to speak with someone who knew what I was talking about made a difference from the beginning,” Lyn says.
“Suzy and the team at Goal Coach has so much expertise, and they are well-respected in the disability sector so they know who to talk to and people listen to them.”
“They haven’t given up at working on my behalf, and I really needed that professional support. Families can be emotional when it comes to our children, so it really helps to have someone else involved and working with you through that process.”
Lyn says Goal Coach gives her the holistic support she needs to organise Claire’s complex supports and services.
“We continued to progress towards a better plan, but didn’t want to wait to start Claire’s journey to a better life.”
“Goal Coach has always been there when I needed them. I’ve only dealt with them on the phone and through video conferencing and it’s been terrific.”
The months of hard work have paid off, Claire is now in a new home, safe and much happier, and the NDIA has now approved Claire for individual specialist disability accommodation.
Lyn says although they finally have the individual accommodation for Claire, they still need the services to support it, so the challenges continue.
Goal Coach is helping Lyn to seek answers as to why Claire’s day-to-day supports have been reduced and some removed from her plan, despite the amount of evidence that shows that this support is essential for Claire.
“The thing I’m most appreciative of is that the team at Goal Coach are still there fighting the fight with us.”
If you want to find out more about Goal Coach’s NDIS eligibility access service or how our counselling, support coordination or recovery coaching can support you live a life beyond the label of psychosocial disability, book a free 15-minute chat with one of our friendly team
