When 49-year-old Richelle was diagnosed with glioblastoma in February 2024, her world—and that of her husband Stephen and their three children, aged 15, 12, and 10—was turned upside down.

Navigating life with a brain cancer diagnosis is never easy, but for Richelle, the desire to remain at home with her family and maintain a sense of normalcy for her children remained at the heart of everything.

In October 2024, Richelle was referred to the National Advocacy Service (NAS), a patient support service on which we proudly partner with Peace of Mind Foundation.

During the initial conversation, it became clear that Richelle urgently needed more in-home support. Stephen had already reduced his working hours as much as he could, but Richelle’s growing care needs were becoming unmanageable.

At the time, Richelle had submitted an application to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), but there had been no updates on its progress. The NAS team swiftly got to work—securing consent, following up with the NDIS, and learning that further medical and functional evidence was required for her claim to move forward.

As our team liaised with Richelle’s medical team through countless phone calls and emails, Richelle’s health declined. She began experiencing recurrent seizures and had to be admitted to hospital, separating her from her children—which had a huge emotional toll on her. Once she was discharged and back home, the need for urgent support became even more apparent.

Yet, gathering the right functional evidence proved challenging. Not willing to give up, the NAS team looked for alternative ways to advocate for Richelle. Her dedicated advocate reached out to the Palliative Care team’s Social Worker, who had been involved in Richelle’s care. Together, they collaborated on a letter that could accurately speak to Richelle’s daily support needs.

This letter proved to be the turning point.

Submitted as part of her NDIS application in November 2024, the additional evidence finally gave a clear picture of Richelle’s daily challenges and needs. In just three days, Richelle was granted access to NDIS support—a moment of huge relief and joy for her family and her advocate team.

Today, Richelle has vital supports in place. She receives help in the mornings with her children, allowing her to return to some of the everyday routines she cherished before her diagnosis. She’s also starting to spend more time in the community, rebuilding a sense of independence and connection that means the world to her and her loved ones.

The NAS Advocate continues to check in with Richelle and Stephen, ensuring their voices are heard and their support needs are met.