DisabilityCare faces challenges as national scheme rolls out to Indigenous communities

29.7.13

DisabilityCare faces challenges as national scheme rolls out to Indigenous communities: Most Indigenous people with a disability are forced to leave their remote community and live in regional centres to obtain respite care.

Keith Jurrah was born in the tiny community of Papunya, 240 kilometres north-west of Alice Springs.

Due to diabetes and other health problems he had one leg and his other foot amputated.

"They took behind the knee. I've got a walking artificial leg but I need to train a lot," he said.

He now lives in a nursing home, one of the few places that can provide adequate care.

Mr Jurrah hopes DisabilityCare will allow him to return home.

"I want to go back to Papunya …We need someone who can stay there helping," he said.

Mr Jurrah has expressed frustration the Federal Government has not announced a trial site in a remote Aboriginal community.