A down syndrome 21 old girl, who seems to be an easy target !!!

Mz Revvv Head · 03-08-2010, 11:28 AM

I have known this family for over 17 years ...
The lady has a daughter Melissa, who has down syndrome & has always attended a special school ...
She is now & another place due to her age being 21 years old ...

Melissa can ONLY write her first name ...
can't spell another word & she can't do maths etc etc etc
& She doesn't say many words at all ...
And yet her mum is told she needs to go to work

with this ???

Omg makes me so damn angry

These people with disability's seem to be such an easy target

This girl has no communication skills what so ever !

If she doesn't go to work she will lose her disability pension

And yet some who are able to work just don't want to or cbf

It it clear there are rules for some & rules for other, as I will never understand this situation ...
If she was my daughter it would be world war 3 ... I can tell you that !

Mz Fired Up ...

Dave_Obsession · 03-08-2010, 11:35 AM

get onto TT or ACA, this is the sort of heart-pulling story they love.....

FG XR · 03-08-2010, 11:40 AM

what about becoming a full time carer for the girl through centrelink? My mother in law does it for her son who has down syndrome and doesnt have to work fulltime.... Her son (my brother in law) is 24 years old.

Mz Revvv Head · 03-08-2010, 11:58 AM

thanks for the post dave ...

But I know her mum won't do that, as she is a very quite lady ...
I think when push comes to shove she will keep her at home
& support her from her own pension ...

If she had any understanding, I would agree for her to go to work ...

I had Melissa week-ends from when is was 3years old to give her mum a break ...
So I know what she is capable of doing after knowing them so many years ...
When she 1st stayed over, I cooked a bbq & salad etc & she just sat there, I'm like she doesn't like it, as the are from Maurios, then I'm thinking omg she can't feed her self ..

What she does at home is just cuts up paper, looks at books and not much else ...

Jim Goose · 03-08-2010, 11:59 AM

The rules at centerlink changed a few years from memory (2006?)
There was a big outcry over it.

However there is provision in there to get the usual "reviews" which normally means going to a GP etc.... so they can report back that the persons condition hasnt changed etc... (which in reality is stupidty at its best because its unlikely some people with a disability will never go back to normal, ie someone with downs syndrome, a quadraplegic etc etc etc..)

Its called empire building and the public service is famous for it.
They like to make the plebs jump through hoops etc... simply because it makes them feel important.

A lot of the times the letters which are sent out are also computer generated automatically, which means no case worker has updated her file.

StrokedXT · 03-08-2010, 12:01 PM

Now obviously I dont know the circumstances surrounding this, But getting people with disabilities into the work force is good for them. The govt are not doing it to punish her it is done with good intentions as it helps them communicate have a sense of worth etc.

If she isnt capeable of doing the basic tasks the workshop style work provides then im sure they can get some sort of exemption.

Mz Revvv Head · 03-08-2010, 12:13 PM

Hey Coyote V8, I hear what your saying & her mum is her carer for her at the moment,
but she will lose her centrelink payment when Melissa is made to go work ...
They have told her that already ... They won't let her keep her disabilty pension because she isn't working ...
Collette is the mum & she doesn't work & she's not young 60 + she's cared for Melissa from day 1 when her so called dad walked out on them when they were told she has down syndrome ...

EgoFalcon · 03-08-2010, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mz Revvv Head

Hey Coyote V8, I hear what your saying & her mum is her carer for her at the moment,
but she will lose her centrelink payment when Melissa is made to go work ...
They have told her that already ... They won't let her keep her disabilty pension because she isn't working ...
Collette is the mum & she doesn't work & she's not young 60 + she's cared for Melissa from day 1 when her so called dad walked out on them when they were told she has down syndrome ...

Cruel world, and some people have no respect for others, such as the dad!

Now that makes me angry!

Mz Revvv Head · 03-08-2010, 12:46 PM

hey Jim Goose, I can't remember the year either :|

It is total stupidity, things have never changed for Melissa & they won't either,
it is reality & sad at that ...
She attended school for many years with no improvment what so ever ...

Collette recived a ph call & was told this, which also she gets docotrs reports every 3 months but they are really statrting to push harder now ...

Mz Revvv Head · 03-08-2010, 12:55 PM

hey jeep by ford, I agree with you 100 % about going into the work force,
and yes they can learn alot indeed,
BUT they must have some understanding of them selfs & what is expected of them & Melissa doesn't have it ...

I know they are not punishing her, but hell it seems like it ...
For these thugs who totally fraud the system, Melissa pays the price

Like I said, she just doesn't understand !
When it's the girly time of the month she has to be helped with her hygene & have it changed for her ... Now tell me who will do this ???
It was her schools job to help out & where she goes now, but a work force will do this NO CHANCE !!!

This isn't for her in any way, shape, or form ...

04redxr8 · 03-08-2010, 01:06 PM

Which state do you live in?

Mz Revvv Head · 03-08-2010, 01:14 PM

hey EgoFalcon, oh indeed me too

The conversations we have had about him, would be music to your ears ...
He's over seas, altho I have a few choice words I would luv to say to him ...

Mz Revvv Head · 03-08-2010, 01:15 PM

04redxr8, in Melb ...

GK · 03-08-2010, 01:17 PM

Horrible situation.

I can understand that such a child may put pressure on a relationship, but for goodness sake, the dad didn't man up at all.

Makes me angry, blokes like to have their way with women, and won't stand by them when they need support. Just take, take, take.

What about a commitment to the woman, to the dear child, which is his? Mongrel.

Also, really dodgy that Centrelink and such don't have the power to make choices on individual cases. Their guidelines are not written so they can are they?

Sucks on so many levels.

I hope the mum (sounds like a top lady) stays strong and has other family support or perhaps local groups, like the council or churches and other charities to give her a bit of a helping hand.

GK

04redxr8 · 03-08-2010, 01:28 PM

Oh, if you were in Brisbane I may have able to give you some numbers to call.

However you may be able to try a Government Disablilty Department. (Brisbanes is Disablilty Services Queensland-DSQ). They should be able to offer assistance and advice. One Government department fights the other.

There are some employers that specifically cater to a disabled workforce. Ones up here that I know of is privately owned, however the Disabilities department should be able to inform you others.

My wife was a Disability Support Worker, with an agency that catered more to getting people with disablities into the community. This was more of training organisation that didnt affect the pensions of the clients. The idea was that the clients were being trained to do day to day activities.

That was the reason I asked what state you were in. I know where it exists in Brisbane. Just don't know any where else unfortunatley.

Good luck with it. I hope it works out, and just remember that there are organisations that can help. If you have no luck finding a Department in Melbourne, let me know and I will see if I can find you a number for someone in Queensland who may help.

One more thing, dont give up fighting.

GT · 03-08-2010, 01:43 PM

When I lived in Adelaide a few years ago, this was big news. My boss DP at the time was in this very same situation and he had the money to pay for the service but there is just nothing available regardless of your financial status. He had an action group going and it might be a long shot but see if you can contact David Holst who is probably still with Adtrans Head Office. He was very active in the push for change and might offer some suggestions or places to try. He was always in the paper etc being very outspoken so I would look to him for some direction. Also someone who will have empathy as he has a daughter that needs round the clock care.

Regards
Gaela

Mz Revvv Head · 03-08-2010, 01:52 PM

hey GK nice post ty ...

Your spot on with some men, that like to have every thing,
but when it comes down to be responsable they have no morals what so ever
& total shame on them

Centrelink do go on the individual but in this case they have got it wrong ...
I would luv them to visit even for 1/2 a day, to see how demanding looking after some one with a disability really is ...

I know I live it myself it's very hard work, very demanding & very challenging to say the least !!!

Collette is a great lady, Melissa is lucky yo have a fab mum also ...

As for family support, hmm there's none

they do nothing to help out at all ....

Mz Revvv Head · 03-08-2010, 02:05 PM

04redxr8, thanks great post ...

Ok I will go visit her & makes some calls as Collette really doesn't understand it clear enough, I help with things when I can ...

I like what you wife was involved in & it's the key I beleive of being in the community ...
give your wife a hug for me ok, she's a lovely lady ...
Thanks very much again & I will do some home work & see what I can find out ...

Oh no I won't, I'm more than happy to fight for this, will be with pleasure ...
I'm a pretty hard nut to crack ... Very strong minded
& because I know Melissa, I will stand up for her np at all ...

GK351 · 03-08-2010, 02:08 PM

There are already some people with down syndrome who work by their own choice or carers choice.

If the girl can only write her name i wouldnt see her being fit for work.
To be told to go and find/get a job when you have down syndrome is not on and makes me sick just thinking of it.

Thats gut wrenching, obviously the person that suggested the girl to go to work does not know the extent of her condition, or does but does not care.

I'll be following the outcome in this.

Smoke Pursuit · 03-08-2010, 02:09 PM

Woah this makes me very angry..

Mz Revvv Head · 03-08-2010, 02:15 PM

hey GT thanks for your post, will do ...

Yes very true money can't buy every thing ...

But caring for the people with disabilty's is PRICELESS, so he may be a good person to contact ...

Fled74 · 03-08-2010, 02:18 PM

I have a family member with DS, and reading stuff like this just makes my blood boil.

kyro_02 · 03-08-2010, 03:22 PM

It sucks hey, i know people on disability pension, but are too lazy to work, when they, and everyone around them know they can work!

sucks for her, shes been wrongly targeted

naughts · 03-08-2010, 03:38 PM

My daughter is 9 years old and is Down syndrome. My wife runs a support "coffee group" and a "care for carers" group.
We are in Langwarrin,South Eastern Melb.
The two groups get together on alternative weeks and discuss / problem solve these and other problems we deal with on a daily basis. The groups are a great outlet for mums struggling with the same sort of problems.
If you or anyone you know needs some help, then send me a PM and I'll give you our phone number.

FGII-XR6 · 03-08-2010, 04:38 PM

We transport a lot of intellectually handicapped adults to sheltered workshops and you would be surprised how much it helps their social skills. I know it may seem like centrelink BS but she may actually get some benefit out of this. they all look forward to work and can't wait to get back to work after holidays. It gives them a sense of purpose and boosts their self esteem
I am not saying it will work in all cases but it is worth trying it out, if it doesn’t work out you have ammunition for Centrelink, if it does it’s a win win situation

Yellow_Festiva · 03-08-2010, 07:53 PM

If the mum wants to draw attention to her plight but does not want to go the TV route she can try radio. 2GB, and especially Allan Jones has a habit of fixing problems that a mere mortal cannot.

Having said that, mum worked as an aide in a support unit in a high school, as well as dedicated schools for these special people. Over the years I have heard many stories, many like Melissa and know first hand how stupid the system can become. Mum supervised many on work programs, some got a great benefit and others not so much.

Keep trying, hope that common sense prevails.

Cheers,

Jason

paule11 · 03-08-2010, 08:29 PM

What Yellow Festiva said would work Allan Jones ringing up centrelink and laying down the facts

DoreSlamR · 03-08-2010, 08:47 PM

Sorry to hear your story, seems pretty messed up.

I wouldn't recommend ACA, TT or Jones, or any other low life of their ilk.

These people go after the easy targets too.

Remember the boardshort bludger?

jaydee · 03-08-2010, 09:01 PM

For what it's worth Mz RevvHead, my brother has Downs and is 48 years old. He went to special schools until 18 and has been working ever since in sheltered workshops. He gets a very minscule wage so as not to affect his pension.

Of course there are different degrees of how handicapped some are. My brother is similar in that he can only write his first name but loves his work.

At the moment he does oil recycling, before that making curtain tracks using a drill press and before that staining coffee tables etc.

He lives in a care home with a couple of other guys and one of them isn't Downs but brain damged. He's marvellous, holds down 3 jobs and we talk politics.
Some of these tossers in Centrelink wouldn't know what Downs is and treat you just like a number.

I suggest you take this young lady with you to Centrelink and say "OK, find her a job, but first ask her her name and address" that'll stump 'em.

TE029 · 03-08-2010, 09:31 PM

This is just a prime example of the situations that the rulemakers dont think about when laying down blanket rules to try to get the minority who are exploiting the system off their asses. Grrrr !
I really wish you and all involved the best of luck and hope that you get a human being capable of thought when you take up the fight with centrelink !