A heart-wrenching glimpse into the reality faced by those using Flexible Funding

Glen from Central Whangarei

This survey offers a heart-wrenching glimpse into the reality faced by those using Flexible Funding—a lifeline that has been too often taken for granted. While the government, insistent on slashing this crucial support, claims that time constraints prevented them from engaging with the disabled community, the truth is starkly different. They didn’t ask, and therefore, they remain oblivious to the clear message conveyed by those directly affected.

The survey paints a poignant picture: 80% of respondents filled it out on behalf of someone else, while 20% shared their own experiences. And the results are nothing short of compelling. A staggering 98% either Agree (8%) or Strongly Agree (90%) that Flexible Funding has profoundly improved their quality of life compared to other alternatives like residential care. The benefits are manifold—Autonomy and Choice, Tailored Support, Improved Quality of Life, Increased Independence, Community Engagement, Respite for Carers, Access to Therapy and Health Services, Educational and Employment Opportunities, Mental Health and Wellbeing, and Financial Relief.

Moreover, 95% either Agree (25%) or Strongly Agree (70%) that their Host (Manawanui) provides an invaluable service, making the use of Flexible Funding straightforward and effective.

Yet, despite these resounding endorsements, the disabled community is being relentlessly battered, and the disconnect between the government and the lived experiences of these individuals is glaring. Disability is not a switch you can turn on and off—it’s a constant, all-encompassing reality. Experts in the field lament that the sector feels like it’s been thrown back to the outdated thinking of the 1990s, if not further. The attitudes of today’s government towards the disabled are reminiscent of the 1970s, echoing the dark days of sheltered workshops.

It’s profoundly disheartening to witness so many people suffering needlessly due to ignorance and indifference. The current trajectory is not just a policy failure—it’s a betrayal of the very people it is meant to support.