Anna recently met Bill Shorten in her new SDA apartment. She writes about her housing journey and why she shares her experience.
Hi I’m Anna, I have Muscular Dystrophy.
I’ve lived in SDA housing for just over 3 months now. Living with my mum in a house that wasn’t very accessible, was very difficult in many ways, and mum getting older created different issues altogether.
This opportunity I’m extremely grateful for, you have no idea how important this is to someone like me. I value and enjoy my freedom, the best accessibility, wonderful support staff, the location is incredible; shops, restaurants, transport, family, everything I need is close by and easily accessible.
When I first researched SDA housing, I wasn’t sure if I was eligible. When I found out I was, I applied but gosh I wasn’t prepared for the long, extremely difficult battle ahead of me.
I was initially given High Physical Support 2 person share residence SDA approval. That is, I could only have accessible housing that met my needs if I shared my home with somebody else, a stranger. This housing option also doesn’t exist in Victoria. This was my main reason for fighting this decision. It didn’t exist, they knew it didn’t exist, but made me fight all the way to the AAT. It took 20 months from start to finish of SDA process. I’m very fortunate to have had a great team of people.
It was an extremely slow and long process. Delay after constant delay. That’s why I encourage people to fight, if they truly believe the decision/decisions that have been given to them is unfair and unjust.
Awareness is my main reason for advocacy. I don’t want others to go through what I went through.
Hopefully others can benefit from my story.
After my meeting with Minister Bill Shorten hopefully it was a little step forward in helping others get their SDA home and start a new life for themselves.
You can visit the Housing Hub website to find out more about Specialist Disability Accommodation.
Want to share your experience? Email peersupport@summerfoundation.org.au