Moments with Mable: Patrice & Guy

As the water trickled over the rocks and my kids explored the bush, their laughter mingling with birdsong, I sat quietly on the wooden seat, taking it all in. The peace, the joy - but also something else. My eyes welled up just as my independent support worker glanced at me. She slipped an arm around me and gave a gentle squeeze. I didn't need to explain what I was feeling but she already knew. That feeling is something that I think every parent living with a disability needs to hear and embrace. A different kind of angst Mum - and dad - guilt is almost synonymous with parenting these days. We worry we're not doing enough, not being enough; that there's never enough time, money, or energy. But when you're parenting with disability, that feeling cuts deeper. It's the sting when you can't do something for, or with, your kids. Like driving them to a birthday party, kicking a soccer ball in the backyard. It's crying quietly in the kitchen when disability and parenthood all feels too much.

Independent Thoughts digs deeper into what it really means to live on your terms, sharing insights into life for people with disability and older Australians. We invite guests with lived experience to share their perspectives in an open dialogue. From casual chats to asking some of life's biggest questions, Independent Thoughts covers it all. Independent Thoughts is an invitation to join us as we challenge the status quo, shatter stereotypes, and redefine independence – one open-hearted conversation at a time. In this episode, we meet Simone, who manages support for her dad, Con, through Mable. She speaks with host and Clinical Psychologist, Melissa Levi . Finding the right support Dogs, flowers and a veggie garden. These are three things that bring Con joy, according to his daughter, Simone. But as he got older, it became physically harder for him to stay connected to the parts of life he loved. When Con and Simone felt it was time to begin looking for help at home, it was import

On 22 April 2026, Health Minister Mark Butler announced major reforms to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The changes have been described as a 'reset' with the intention to refocus the scheme, reduce spending and ensure long-term sustainability. While the reforms are wide-ranging, they will not take effect immediately and will be introduced gradually over time. The Government will introduce the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill next month, then there will be a lot of debate and community consultation before we see any changes take effect. Here's an explainer of the announcement and the key takeaways. Why the 'reset'? The NDIS was established to support people in Australia living with 'permanent and significant disability' 13 years ago. Since then, its rapid growth has seen the scheme expand much faster than originally forecast. Spending increasing by 10-14 per cent per year. Today, there are more than 75