Pledge of home care for Naomi /by Ken McGregor
08/01/2014
Published in the Southern Times Messenger, page 50
HEALTH Ken McGregor PEOPLE power has helped save 44-year-old Naomi Clarke from being moved into a nursing home against her will. A 62,000-signature petition collected on change.org has been handed to Premier Jay Weatherill, calling for him to step in and endorse funding for fulltime at-home care for Mrs Clarke rather than have her moved to a nursing home. As first reported on advertiser.com.au, Mrs Clarke faced being moved from the family home she shares with her husband, Paul, because of mounting debt. Mrs Clarke has been wheelchair-bound since a botched operation when she was five. Her health has worsened, and she requires more than 60 hours care a week the threshold for at-home government-provided care. “It is fantastic to know that there are so many people out there who are behind me,” Mrs Clarke said. Mr Weatherill said he would find a way to keep Mrs Clarke at her Beverley home with paid support, and would set up a meeting with Mrs Clarke and Disabilities Minister Tony Piccolo. Dignity for Disability MP Kelly Vincent said it was unfortunate Mrs Clarke had to raise 62,000 signatures just to remain at home She called on the State Government to ensure people such as Mrs Clarke were assessed on a case-by-case basis and money was given to provide suitable accommodation for younger people with disabilities.
