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1:18PM Sunday 05 July, 2009

Grandad angry at lack of help

Published 10:23a.m. 22nd April 2008

| By Peter Gardiner


Updated 1:25p.m. 22nd April 2008

Grandad angry at lack of help

The Graham family have moved from Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast for a better life for their children, L-R Chloe 7 mum Rosemaree and Johnny 6. Photo: Jason Dougherty

The grandfather of two disabled Caloundra children has lashed out at the government spending $2.5 million on the poisoned “Tree of Knowledge” in Barcaldine while his son’s desperate pleas for help are ignored.

David Graham was infuriated when he heard of the federal memorial funding at the same time his son Michael and partner Rosemaree Butler were at their wit’s end trying to care for their severely disabled children Chloe, 7, and Johnny, 6.

He is demanding to know why Disability Services Queensland continues to reject their ongoing funding application for the children who require around-the-clock care.

Johnny can have up to 130 epileptic seizures a day while Chloe suffers from autism and epilepsy.

“I want to know where government priorities are – they can spend that amount of money on a tree that is already dead when they can’t find funding for children who are living in need of special care for the rest of their life,” David said.

“My son and Rose could suffer a nervous breakdown at any moment, they are under that much stress caring for their kids.

“It would be different if they were belting their kids instead of giving them love – the department would be around there in a flash taking them out of there.

“I’m proud of what Michael and Rose have done for their kids – they have stuck together since they were 16 and will need to provide for the kids for the rest of their lives.”

Michael told the Daily the family moved to the Coast from Wynnum about three weeks ago to access the special resources of Currimundi Special School.

Johnny needs a special wheelchair worth $40,000 and the parents claim to have been denied access to funds which would help with other special needs as well as respite care.

A Disability Services Queensland spokesman told the Daily today that client confidentiality prevented it from discussing an individual family's circumstances.

However, he said the department’s Sunshine Coast staff would meet the family this week to conduct an assessment of their needs and what their longer-term requirements may be.

“Disability Services Queensland understands families are under pressure and it is committed to working with Queenslanders to find solutions where possible,” the spokesman said.

Recent Comments

Add a comment
Posted by 20HJ16 from Wurtulla
on 22 April, 2008 at 11:48 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I really feel for the Butler family. It is about time the government put money where it really matters instead of wasting it. I am sure if any of the politicians were in a personal situation of dire need they would move heaven and earth to make sure the funding got through to help themselves. They need to put themselves in the position of people less fortunate and show their empathy through action and financial assistance.
Posted by dubby from Mooloolaba
on 22 April, 2008 at 12:37 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
This story is quite disturbing. How does our state gov. get away with such poor standards of health for its people?

My thoughts and prayers go to the Butlers. Hang in there guys.
Posted by borisette from Coolum Beach
on 22 April, 2008 at 1:03 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Dubby - the answer is because the people of Queensland keep voting in Labour. The people only have themselves to blame.
Posted by suncoastlass from Buderim
on 22 April, 2008 at 1:55 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Well - why exactly doesn't one of them go out to work? The problem is - that then they would be complaining about having their pension decreased. How can they afford the rent anyway?
Posted by News_Watcher from Redcliffe
on 22 April, 2008 at 1:56 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Considering the struggles of many thousands of Australians who have some sort of a disability, their needs continue to be ignored by governments. Being a member of a Australian based, online disability forum group, there are many examples that I could provide. We voted Labor in and they have and always will have, an inability to govern properly. We have to be aware of what's on offer from the major parties but looking at the rot that is going on within ALP state governments and here in Queensland, it's time for a change.
Posted by Jewel from Maroochydore
on 22 April, 2008 at 3:31 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Borisette how narrow minded are you to think that a change of government would make an ounce of difference. Wake up Australia!!
Comments like yours are pretty typical of Liberal voters.
Posted by maryannemcl from beerwah
on 22 April, 2008 at 4:19 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Well Jewel its for sure the Liberal Government wouldnt pay 2.5mil for a Labour Tree. Borisette is right dont vote for someone who spends that much on a tree or a dam that we dont need.
Posted by please from caloundra
on 22 April, 2008 at 4:21 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
$40,000 for a wheelchair, I think there is more to this story!
Posted by wordz3175 from Caloundra
on 22 April, 2008 at 4:44 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
With one child having up to 130 seizures a day and the other being autistic as well as epileptic does anyone seriously think that one parent could go out to work? What would happen to the stay at home parent? Unless they received the assistance of a daily assistant (who would have to be paid for) how on earth would they cope.
I say instead of using taxpayer money on security for the Olympic Torch it is time people like these were given more financial assistance and support workers.
Posted by Jewel from Maroochydore
on 22 April, 2008 at 4:52 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
And you know that for sure do you maryannemcl?
Posted by goodonme from boondooma
on 22 April, 2008 at 7:02 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
this is not a political forum it is for helping 2 very special disabled children!!!!!! there was a mistake made on the price of the wheelchair it actually cost around $4,000.00. SUNCOASTLASS would you be willing to work if you had 2 such disabled children if so you would be neglecting them for most of the day these parents would like to see things from your point of view but they cannot stick thier heads that far up the rectum and finally if you read the story fully they are living in qovernment housing
Posted by dragondick from auckland
on 22 April, 2008 at 7:13 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
To all of you above,WHY do you have to bring your political point scoring BS into this,show some compassion instead of your childish name calling.
Posted by borisette from Coolum Beach
on 22 April, 2008 at 7:18 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Yes, Jewel, it was narrow-minded, just the same as all those who voted for Kevin, believing it will bring about real, positive change and they'll be better off!!!

What I meant to type was that the people of Queensland need to hold their governments accountable and demand more from them in terms of their standard and quality of service, ethics, policies, laws etc. The same governments (of all political persuasions) keep getting voted in by the people no matter how bad they are, how many people their pathetic services ruin and kill, or how crooked or interfering they are. How does that hold them accountable?

If changing the political power does not change the way we are governed and provided with services, then, there needs to be a fundamental philosophical change to the way this country and the States govern and operate. But, that starts - and ends - with the people, not politicans, not public servants, and not those who attended the 2020 Summit.

You get what you pay for in the end.
Posted by goodonme from boondooma
on 22 April, 2008 at 8:07 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
this is not a political forum maryannemcl this is about disabled children ps $40,000 being spent on honouring sir joh perhaps this money should be obtained from a brown paper bag
Posted by goodonme from boondooma
on 22 April, 2008 at 8:19 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
well said wordz3175
Posted by goodonme from boondooma
on 22 April, 2008 at 8:25 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
in answer to please the cost of the chair is $4,000 not $40,000 mistake in reporting
Posted by goodonme from boondooma
on 22 April, 2008 at 8:51 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
governments may change beaurocracy doesn't
Posted by Jewel from Maroochydore
on 23 April, 2008 at 1:47 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
My apologies it was totally inappropriate to bring up politics on this forum. It makes me see red when people say stupid things such as 'things would have been different if.......! Please accept this apology and in future I will keep my mouth shut.
Posted by cheridolphin from Mia Mia
on 24 March, 2009 at 9:11 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Firstly how do you know neither parent works, even if they do work cost are still extreme. We have an almost identical life - one child with up to 80seizures a day and autism and one with autism and my husband does work but we still cant afford the costs associated with raising these kids. And $4000 for a wheelchair is nothing we need one that is $6500 and then the lifter to get her in and out of the car is another $8000 every week we spend over $80 on nappies cause every time she has a seizure she wets or soils and her medications and food thickners cost us enother $100 a week. At the moment we still need a ramp, a special chair for the table and the above wheelchair that will double as a car seat, yes there is some funding out there but you usually wait up to two years to get it....by then her needs could be totally different. I feel for this family because i am living their life and I so know the struggles of not just the financial burden but the emotional one. Remember that first year of your kids life when you were stressing over SIDS would they be alive in the morning....that is my life every night even though my child is now almost 4. It is called SUDEP, one in approximately every 370 epileptic patients go to bed one night and dont wake up in the morning, but with around the clock suppervision they can recieve treatment if something happens, but there is no funding for this, so we are forced to at regular intervals get up and check that our child is still breathing, i have not had more than 2hours straight sleep in almost 4 years. It is time funding was available for this kind of care.

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