People power on 10 News
16/12/2013
Channel 10 News 16/12/2013 People power (17.30)
A petition signed by 62,000 has saved a 44yo disabled woman from being forced into a nursing home. But Adelaide woman Naomi Clarke is just one of many South Australians facing a future in aged care because they can’t afford in-home support. Naomi Clarke needs round the clock care to help her battle a debilitating respiratory illness. A role provided until now by her husband Paul. But rising debts from medical bills has forced him to return to work leaving Naomi with two choices – to stay at home without support.
(Naomi Clarke, Disabled Woman, grab)
Clarke: “For me that’d be like choosing my own suicide because without support I would die.”
Or to go into a nursing home at just 44 years old, separating her from Paul.
(Mark Cobert, Brother, grab)
Cobert: “Nah, that would break my heart. There’s so much love between them and now they just want to tear it apart.”
Disability SA funds up to 60 hours a week of care but Naomi needs 24/7 support. A nursing home appeared inevitable until 62,000 people signed an online petition calling for the Premier to step in. And he did when ambushed outside Cabinet today.
(Jay Weatherill, Premier, grab)
Premier: “We’ll work out a way for you to stay at home. We’ll work with you and your family to find out a way that can work.”
But Naomi is one of many South Australians with a disability fighting to get enough care to stay with their families and out of a nursing home, including several stuck here at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.
(Kelly Vincent, Dignity for Disability, grab)
Vincent: “Well this is certainly where other people either in this situation or facing this situation are driven into aged care-type accommodation if they can’t find the money they need to continue support in their own home.”
The Minister for Disabilities Tony Piccolo says the Department deals with individuals on a case by case basis.
