Help Ian cover costs of his Guide Dog, Harry

Ian is a lovely man who lives in Belmont with his elderly mother, his retired guide dog, Banjo and his working guide dog, Harry. Ian is vision impaired and has several additional diagnoses including epilepsy and hearing loss just to name a few. Ian has had a guide dog for almost 40 years, receiving his very first guide dog back in 1983. Ian has heavily relied on his guide dogs to assist him in his everyday life. Ian relies heavily on his guide dog, Harry, each day to help him with small everyday tasks such as walking to the letterbox to check his mail to the more complex tasks of assisting Ian to navigate his way when out in the community. Without Harry, Ian loses all his independence.

Ian is a participant with the NDIS and his most recent NDIS plan review occurred in December 2021. We were shocked to receive his new NDIS plan which revealed that his guide dog funding had been eliminated from the plan leaving Ian without funding for his current guide dog, Harry. The NDIS have based this decision on the fact that Ian requested additional hours for a support worker to assist him following seizures as it can take him up to 2 weeks to recover from a severe seizure. The NDIS have agreed to provide a support worker for 2 additional hours/day but now think that because of the extra support worker hours, Ian no longer requires a guide dog. This leaves Ian with 16-18 hours per day without guide dog assistance, which in turn completely strips him of his independence. It’s an appalling decision and it feels as though Ian has been punished for requesting extra hours for a support worker. They also cut other funding in his new plan including his exercise physiology and a few other things. Ian can live with that decision, but he cannot live without his guide dog, Harry.

We appealed this decision by submitting a request for a review of the decision, however this also came back with the same outcome of zero funding for Ian’s guide dog. How does the NDIS decide that someone who has relied on a guide dog for almost 40 years, suddenly no longer requires a guide dog? The significant impact of this decision is taking its’ toll on Ian and has already caused 21 stress induced seizures.

We will continue to fight this decision, our next step is to go to the Tribunal, but this process takes time. While awaiting a decision from the Tribunal, Ian is left struggling to cover the cost of his guide dog’s food, vet bills, grooming and maintenance. It’s a sad world when our most vulnerable members of our community are treated in such an inhumane way.

Your donation would be greatly appreciated to help ease the financial burden which Ian is currently overwhelmed by. Every dollar will help, no amount is too small.

We thank you for your kindness and support.

Warmest Regards,

Angela Strath

Coordinator of Supports

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