Williamstown resident Milly Parker hosted an event at Mosaic Restaurant in Altona last week to raise awareness of the proposed National Disability Insurance Scheme. 68362 Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI
By Alesha Capon
AN extraordinary Williamstown woman has urged residents to get behind a campaign for the introduction of a National Disability Insurance Scheme.
The nation-wide ‘Every Australian Counts’ campaign is encouraging the Federal Government to adopt the NDIS which, if introduced, will become a new support system for people with a disability.
Across the next few months, the government will consider a Productivity Commission report into the matter before delivering their decision.
Last week, Williamstown’s Milly Parker, along with her friend Carol Winifield, organised a ‘DisabiliTea’ at the Mosaic Restaurant in Altona to raise awareness of the issue, with “major support” from the Maritime Union of Australia.
Jarrod Crowley, from Mosiac Restaurant, donated the venue and staff time to the gathering, as well as acting as the event’s MC.
At the age of 21, Ms Parker was involved in a car accident which resulted in her sustaining an “acquired brain injury”.
She was not expected to survive, but spent a year in rehabilitation and five years going through the Victorian Transport Accident Commission process to gain the support she needed to recover.
However, after experiencing depression while undergoing constant medical checks, Ms Parker said she decided to turn her life around.
She went on to establish Happy Yappers, a business which makes gourmet dog treats, stocked by Harrods and which David Jones will soon also sell.
Ms Parker also became an advocate for people with disabilities, among her many achievements are appointments to the Disability Advisory Council of Victoria, the DHS Individualised Planning and Support Committee and the Hobson’s Bay Disability Advisory Council.
Ms Parker said she has been motivated to raise awareness of the NDIS “because of the absolute appalling inequalities people with disabilities face”.
“It happens to hundreds of thousands of people and we need to shine a light on it,” she said.
Ms Parker said throughout her volunteer work and meeting disabled people, she has encountered many without access to funding, support and the equipment they need, such as wheelchairs.
“You hear stories, go home, weep and think, ‘I can’t believe how lucky I’ve been’,” she said. “I wake up the next day and know I’ve got to do something to make this in the forefront of every politician’s mind.
“In fact I say I’m going to do this for the rest of my life, I’m not going to give up.”
Ms Parker said the NDIS would be the “biggest reform since Medicare” and she encouraged everyone to visit the ‘Every Australian Counts’ website and sign their petition.
“It’s the first time in the sector’s history everyone’s got together and banded behind something,” she said.
See http://everyaustraliancounts.com.au/ for more information.
