After months of waiting for the NDIS to approve the home modifications, nothing has happened. My team have suggested recommendations and despite constantly nudging and them saying they’ll escalate it, there is no change.
These modifications improve my home and make it safer and easier for me to live in. Especially my ensuite bathroom. At the moment, there’s a small step into the shower recesswhich makes the risk of tripping really high for me. To fix this, I need the whole bathroom renovated.
Whilst waiting, I have done minor adjustments. Things like a guardrail installed and non-slip floor stickers. But my OT told me to not do too much because ultimately, the glass needs to be removed to make it safe.
Awaiting the approval isn’t the only reason I haven’t donethese modifications. Of course, I need to consider the cost out-of-pocket for these changes. But also, I like my new bathroom. It felt sad to change it all as soon as I moved in. I wasn’t ready to accept these huge modifications to my new, beautiful home.
I didn’t do them all, but I did do a majority of them.
However, it has now been so long and my lack of complete modifications means that for the last few months I’ve had to crawl in and out of the shower to ensure I don’t risk falling. Crawling along the cold tiles is not only taxing on my body, it’s compromising my dignity a lot.
I’m grateful that I have the foresight to know that crawling is the best thing to do and not trying to walk and holding onto the glass which can be slippery as well. I worry for those without that foresight that risk putting themselves in unsafe situations.
My bathroom isn’t the only area that needs modification attention.
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- Automating the existing curtains and installing block-out blinds and glare resistant blinds for my vision
- My handyman installed a ramp at my backdoor and gate to make sure there was no step
- The back gate was automated so I could have an access point
- My OT organised a custom, weighted ramp for the backdoor which helps
me get in and out
- Changed my light globes from blue white to warm white to help my eyesight
- This week I had my backyard landscaped. When I first bought my house, the back garden had stepping stones which were really uneven and I found it difficult to navigate around them. There was a risk of falling. So they’ve removed the stepping stones and replaced it with artificial grass.
- I have a collapsible clothesline in the laundry because I can’t access the outside clothesline easily or safely
There were things I had to ensure were already in place when choosing a new home to live. I needed a spare bedroom for equipment, walking frame, exercise bike and also a spare bed if my supports, family or friends need to stay with me. I knew that I needed a place that I could continue to modify as my disability changed.
When it comes to the modifications my home has had to go through already, as well as what is still left to be done, I’m aware that the list continuously changes. As my disability changes, so will the requirements of what is safe for me.
The modification process is an ongoing one and heavily reliant on others to help me. From handymen, gardeners, family, supports, OT’s and NDIS, everyone has a part to play with me configuring my home so that I don’t increase any risks to my health and wellbeing.
Are there modifications that have been surprising to you? How can you make modifications that last longer when thinking about changes that need to be made? What needs to be done now and what can wait a little longer?