August 2010

To Whom It May Concern:

 My name is Helen Barker and I’m writing to you in regards to the National No fault Insurance Productivity Inquiry.

Our daughter Angela was injured in 2002, when she was bashed by her then x boy friend.  She was left with a severe brain injury, and we were told that she would not improve and the only option offered to us, which we believe was due to the fact that Anj was a victim of crime with no compensation, was an aged nursing home in Benalla.

The physios in intensive care said she needed botox and plastering, this was not done.
The lack of these procedures has had a enormous effect on her wellbeing and rehabilitation, If these things had been done early Anj would not have had to suffer years of pain and suffering as she has had too due to the fact she didn’t have the funding.

We knew another family at the time whose son had had a motor vehicle accident and was still unconscious and he had had botox and plastering and had been sent to a specialist rehab by week 3 of his injury.
He had a much better start to getting well and there fore he was able to do things much earlier than our daughter as his limbs hadn’t been allowed to twist with spasticity.

How can doctors know who is going to get well and who isn’t, they would of not known the person before hand and we feel this is a factor to be considered.  Our daughter was determined throughout her life to be and do what she wanted so she was strong willed.

Can you guarantee me that the medical staff made these assessments on the injuries alone and that the fact one had a funding body such as TAC and our daughter didn’t have any.
This is violation of basic human rights.  Our daughter deserved every chance at getting better as the car victim and as every human being deserves.  How can doctors pick and choose who they will treat and therefore who will have rehab and eventually get a life back?

Ask yourselves how you would cope with the news your 16 year old child was never going to improve and would need to live in a nursing home for the rest of their life, without the therapy and treatment to give them a chance.
 
Imagine if we hadn’t fought for our daughter she would have never improved as she would have laid in bed twisted with spasticity, locked in her body for the rest of her life.  I have nightmares at the thought of this and the thought of others, that their families believed the medical profession. 

Anj has got better and is still achieving goals and she has contributed a lot to this society.  No thanks to the doctors in intensive care. They save lives which we are very grateful for and then condemn them to a life of pain, struggle and torment without any hope.  People who live want to get back to a life worth living. 

Early intervention could have made this road a lot easier without the extra pain and suffering, she could have improved a lot quicker than it has taken her; instead 8 years on her ankle and wrist are still the cause of great pain and frustration and probably going to need an operation, which she may not be able to have as she doesn’t have funding for this.

Who made these doctors god?  As we meant knew people who have had a brain injury we here similar stories and this upsets us greatly,  that everyone of these people have had to endure what we have had to and  been torn apart fighting to get help and  care for their loved ones.
Every one wether they are born with a disability or get one during their life journey deserves the same respect and treatment.
Isn't it their right as a human being?  

A no fault insurance could take away the discrepancy in the health system and put all Australians on equal footing.  It could give people their lives back and jet propel them back into the community where they could contribute to society. 

Thank you for your time,

Yours sincerely,

Helen Barker