Lochlain Harrod’s family to fight NDIS funding cuts, after being told therapy is not ‘value for money’

Lochlain Harrod has quadriplegia cerebral palsy. Now, his NDIS funding for therapy that keeps him pain free and allows him to enjoy life is to be cut. See why.

Mum Jill Carney-Harrod gets angry when she hears about rorting within the NDIS, especially after bureaucrats decided her son’s physical therapy “wasn’t value for money”.

Lochlain Harrod, 21, has quadriplegia cerebral palsy and relies on three hours of therapy a week to stay pain free.

Without it he suffers agonising cramps and spasms.

“You can see his body pulsating and it can go on for hours,” his mum said.

“The only way he can deal with it, is to lie down all day, because he’s in so much agony.”

She said her sociable son, who likes to go to the horse track, is a happy person who enjoys his life, but that would all disappear without therapy.

Lochlain Harrod, 21, with his mum Jill Carney-Harrod and Laurynn Harrod, 26, (Lochie's sister). Picture: Steve Pohlner

“After he’s been to therapy he feels like a million bucks. His shoulders are more level. He’s not so hunched up. He finds it easier to breathe,” Ms Carney-Harrod said.

She also fears his speech and ability to eat will start to deteriorate without the therapy.

As well as the three hour physical therapy session, he attends a day program twice a week, with friends, which includes an hour of therapy, per session.

Lochlain Harrod, 21, at his home in Ipswich, Queensland. Picture: Steve Pohlner

The family is taking Lochlain’s case to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. If he loses, he won’t be able to attend the day program sessions either, as the therapy part of the program won’t be funded anymore.

Ms Carney-Harrod said they have been unable to get any legal aid for a lawyer to help fight for Lochlain, and advocacy groups say they are too stretched to help.

Lochlain’s therapy continues to be funded until the appeal is heard.

“Lochie is pretty smart, he knows what’s going on,” Ms Carney-Harrod, who lives in Ipswich outside Brisbane, said.

“If the therapy stops it will destroy his life. It would make the rest of his NDIS funding worthless because he would not be well enough to use it.”

Minister for the NDIS Bill Shorten has vowed to cut the rorts and improve the scheme. He is due to address the national Press Club on Wednesday, to outline his vision for the NDIS.