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Carers

Disability organisations facing redundancies as community prepares for royal commission and NDIS changes

Disability groups say federal budget funding cuts will leave them less able to support vulnerable Australians as the government rolls out widespread changes to services and supports. 
Updated
A middle aged white woman without a right arm sits outside in a motorised wheelchair, wearing a striped shirt and big glasses.

What it takes to be a 'cuddle carer': Advice from a veteran of 1,000 hugs

When Jenny Summerson answered a newspaper ad in the 1990s for a hospital helper, she had no idea she'd become an expert cuddler in the maternity ward.
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A tiny baby sleeping on someone's chest

Free autism support service faces 'heartbreaking' closure after federal funding is axed

A free autism support network in South West WA may be forced to close its doors after being defunded by the federal government, even though it reports growing demand.
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A woman wearing glasses sits on a red picnic rug with two young boys, one wearing a top with cars on it, the other with Pokemon

Families face 'loss, guilt and anger' as they deal with a genetic disease that has no cure or treatment

For years now, Natalia Rossiter has provided 24-hour care for her husband who has Huntington's disease, but she wonders how she can continue without psychological support.
A close up photo of a woman wearing glasses in front of a red tree

Jake's support worker tells him to settle down. Seconds later, there's a sickening crack and a cry of pain

An ABC investigation uncovers a series of allegations by former workers blowing the whistle on mistreatment, neglect and excessive use of force against people with disabilities being cared for by NDIS provider Evolution Support Services. 
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A still from a video showing a confrontation between two men standing up as others watch on.

NDIS provider accused of excessive use of force against people with disabilities

A 7.30 investigation has uncovered new allegations of rough treatment and shocking footage from inside an NDIS provider of last resort.
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ABC News Current
Duration: 12 minutes 20 seconds

Women with disabilities fear government response to domestic violence threat will leave them behind

While those fleeing a violent partner are eligible for a $5,000 payment, that doesn't apply to those trying to escape a carer or family member.
A white woman in an electric wheelchair is walking her dog with a pink leash. She's in front of green grass and a BRISBANE sign

More older Australians are left to navigate aging alone. Here's what help is available

From helplines to hiring someone to do their paperwork, many of our seniors could use a hand dealing with an increasingly complex aged care system. It "takes a village" to help them too, say advocates, and this is where to start.
A young girl's hand over an elderly man's hand sitting on the arm of a chair.

This man set up his dream career playing video games, sparked by NDIS failures

He struggled through school, couldn't cope at university, and lives with a rare genetic condition, but somehow Will Golding used his disability to create his dream career — and a place to support others like him. 
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A man with short brown hair smiles softly with his arms crossed.

'I left my job because of it': Workers who care for loved ones say leave requirements require too much paperwork

Workers employed under awards, who also provide care to loved ones with ongoing conditions, say a "cumbersome and burdensome" leave process has left them struggling to get basic entitlements. 
A photo of Lani. She is in her early 20s, has fair skin, blue eyes and long blonde hair.

NDIS worker accused of indecently assaulting elderly aged care resident

The 27-year-old man was employed by the National Disability Insurance Scheme to work at aged care facilities around Perth and allegedly assaulted the elderly resident at a home in the western suburbs.
The logo of the NDIS imprinted on a grey building

Mother heartbroken as son 'loses everything' from chronic fatigue

Lying on his bed 24 hours a day in complete darkness, Dan Harris's life is slipping away. His parents want money put into research to help the quarter of a million Australians with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.
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Serious looking woman facing camera, open patio structure in background, table, surfboard on wall, plants

At 70, Neysa is embracing the start of her 'retirement career'

Restless with retirement, former corporate high-flyer Nesya King didn't want to "wait for God". She was drawn back to her first career — nursing — and 30 years out of the game, she returned to university to become qualified.
A grey haired woman standing in a hospital hallway smiles.

Tips for carers during the festive season

Providing care to loved ones during the festive season can be stressful.  Juliet Middleton provides a few simple tips to reduce anxiety and ease the burden to the carer. 
ABC News Current
Duration: 3 minutes 42 seconds

'Pushy' tele-fundraisers pressure pensioner into donating $18k as family calls for crackdown

When John Carter was moving into care earlier this year, his family was sorting through his belongings and made an alarming discovery.
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Man looks at his phone

Residents 'feeling a bit smug' in claiming victory to stay in Byron Bay aged care village

It seemed like a David versus Goliath battle, but eight elderly residents who refused to leave a Feros Care aged care village when it announced it selling up are now claiming victory.
Two elderly women and an elderly man raise their linked hands in celebration.

Directors of former NDIS provider to stand trial over death of Ann Marie Smith

Two directors of a former NDIS provider charged over the death of Adelaide woman Ann Marie Smith, who died while in full-time care, have been committed to stand trial.
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Alison Maree Virgo and Amy June Collins

Sweeping reforms promised after long awaited NDIS review

The report says the gap between those inside and outside the scheme is unfair, and it recommends more mainstream services.
ABC News Current
Duration: 2 minutes 7 seconds

An estimated $1.4 billion of NDIS funding was lost to payment errors in a year. For Toby's family, it's a 'colossal waste'

The National Disability Insurance Scheme lost an estimated $1.4 billion through "payment errors" including fraud and over-claiming last financial year, a five-fold increase from two years ago.
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Nine year old Toby Jamieson sitting in front of greenery, wearing glasses.

On Tanna in Vanuatu, a new register is bringing children with cerebral palsy back from the margins

The first register of its kind in the South Pacific will identify children living with cerebral palsy to help improve understanding, reduce risk factors and meet their needs. 
Dr Andrea Burgess plays wth a young child who has been given leg braces for cerebral palsy. 

South Australia Police release CCTV of an incident involving two officers arresting a man at a care home.

SA police release CCTV footage of an incident involving two officers arresting a man at a care home despite about having reservations of airing the vision.
ABC News Current
Duration: 42 seconds

Amputee joey now hopping with joy thanks to a shoehorn and some innovative thinking

A young kangaroo named Cottontail is given a new lease on life, after part of its tail was amputated when its mother was struck by a car in Queensland.
A composite image of a small joey in a pouch, and joey wearing black carbon-graphite prosthetic on its tail.

Man charged with murder over alleged attack at Australind NDIS group home

Detectives have charged a 33-year-old man with murder over an alleged attack at an NDIS group home at St Jude's Australind in South West WA.
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Composite image of the sign at Bunbury Police Station and an NDIS sign.

National survey shows unpaid carers' wellbeing continues to decline

This week is national carers week and advocates are calling for much greater investment in support services that can give unpaid carers a well-earned break.
ABC News Current
Duration: 1 minute 56 seconds

Marlene met Greg on a beach and fell in love. But growing old and grey together hasn't worked out how she hoped

Respite cottages give carers a break from looking after the person they care for but advocates say there's not enough, leaving many of Australia's 2.5 million unpaid carers at breaking point.
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A man and woman in wedding dress getting married.