It’s been just over a month since the National Advocacy Service (NAS) has been up and running and Client Support Specialist, Fiona Hassmann, has shared one of her client’s experiences with the service.

“One of our National Advocacy Service (NAS) clients is a GBM survivor of 14 years, who lives with his wife in Canberra, ACT. In early November, his wife contacted the NAS after being rejected for NDIS funding and being unable to source any other forms of at-home or everyday care for her husband. We submitted a new NDIS application.

Whilst waiting for their NDIS application to be approved, the NAS researched further assistance on their behalf and came across Leo’s Place. Leo’s Place is a small house in Canberra that provides people with life limiting illness overnight or day respite and carer support.

We made a booking, and her husband went and spent a weekend there. Throughout his stay, he laughed, told jokes, and brought smiles to everyone he encountered. When he came home, he was so full of stories and was animated and energised.

Whilst he was gone, his wife had friends over for dinner, pottered about doing things she liked to do for herself and relaxed like she hadn’t been able to do for a long time. When her husband returned from Leo’s place, they both acknowledged they felt like they had had a holiday!

Within days, their NDIS application was approved, and funding was unlocked shortly afterward. This couple are now able to access support staff, who provide much-needed assistance, community access, and company for her husband whilst she works. Whilst this support is in its early days, the funding has provided her with a great sense of relief, knowing that her husband is safe at home and that he is able to get out of the house regularly and safely.

Stay tuned for an update in the coming months – we have a feeling that there is more good news to come!” – Fiona Hassmann, NAS Client Support Specialist

The National Advocacy Service (NAS) is a collaboration between Peace of Mind Foundation and Cure Brain Cancer Foundation, supporting people with a primary diagnosis of brain cancer. We engage our clients in a compassionate and empathetic manner to provide general advice, guidance and hands on support to identify and connect to government funded services and non-government and community-based services.

We look forward to keeping you up to date on all the great stories from the National Advocacy Service.