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By Maddy Croad THE PRESS March 29, 2024
A disability funding protest was held after the recent announcement by the Ministry of Disabled people, making changes to the funding.
Those in the disabled community said they were blind-sided by the changes and don’t know how they will cope.
Many disabled New Zealanders, carers and families gathered in Christchurch on Thursday, protesting the recent changes in funding made by Whaikaha, the Ministry of Disabled People.
The changes, which were put into effect without warning on March 18, meant many people were left unable to access funding for support such as travel, respite and physical aids like tablets and phones.
Jordan Langley, who organised the protest, was taken aback by the turnout of supporters.
Being legally blind himself, funding changes meant he can no longer get support to travel, leaving him isolated.
“I feel like I should be able to travel outside of my community. I cannot drive a car, I have to be independent.”
Lorraine Wiersman’s daughter Ella has cerebral palsy. Funding has allowed Ella to do things with her family such as walk the dog or visit the beach.
CHRIS SKELTON / The Press
Lorrain Wiersman’s daughter Ella, has cerebral palsy, meaning she has a full-time carer and a high level of needs.
She said they previously used Whaikaha funding to buy a machine that gets Ella and her wheelchair onto the beach. The funding changes mean the family can longer afford support like this.
“We’ve been living for the past week or so with uncertainty about how I can support my children now,” she said.
“When these people don’t do their jobs, their jobs go to us.”
Support worker Donna Clarke has been Ella’s support worker for 20 years. Everything she previously had covered by Whaikaha funding, is now gone.
CHRIS SKELTON / The Press
Ella’s carer, Donna Clarke, also attended the protest, holding Ella’s hand while she spoke.
She has been with Ella for 20 years, and now doesn’t know how Ella will cope.
“I was shocked, it was just out there and we never had any idea it [funding changes] were coming.”
Ella used funding for therapy such as mirimiri, a traditional Māori massage to reduce depression and anxiety, as well as an Ipad so she could connect with friends like “any other 26 year-old,” said Clarke.
“Her funding covered that, it won’t now.”
Many protestors called for Minister for Disability Issues, Penny Simmonds, to resign, largely based on how she made decisions regarding funding without community consultation.
The common theme of the protest was the resignation of Minister Penny Simmonds. “She's so far away from knowing what the needs are for people with disabilities,” said Wiersman.
CHRIS SKELTON / The Press
Similar demands were recently made by Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins, after National changed decision-making criteria to require cabinet consultation first.
“It is an extraordinary step and a massive vote of no confidence for Cabinet to intervene because a minister is failing to make decisions in her own portfolio ... Christopher Luxon should remove her as a minister altogether,” said Hipkins.
With a barrage of disabilities such as autism, epilepsy, PTSD and hip dysplasia, Nick Stoneman knows how important Whaikaha funding is.
He used to use the funding to get therapist appointments for his hip dysplasia, a defect he has had since birth, now he is forced to sit in pain.
“I’m struggling. If I don’t have my treatment I just have to suffer and that’s so wrong,” he said. “It’s 2024, I shouldn’t have to suffer, I shouldn’t have to fight for my rights.”
Protestors wanted funding changes to be reversed, and the Government to consult the disability sector.
CHRIS SKELTON / The Press
Like Hipkins, he and other protestors called for Penny Simmonds to go.
“We need her to resign from the portfolio, because we need a minister that actually wants to be there and wants to listen to our voices.”
“I don’t even think she knows what these guys need in their lives,” said Clarke. “Hopefully all this may make her think again.
As for Wiersman, who still remains in limbo over how her daughter can be supported, she had a clear message for the Government.
“You do your jobs so we can do ours. We just want to be parents.”
Many in the disabled community want an apology. If not, they say they will continue to make their voices heard. “We’ll get louder and we’ll get stronger,” said Stoneman.
CHRIS SKELTON / The Press