In Bouldercombe on Darumbal country, 61-year-old Karingbal Yiman man, Rick, is enjoying a new life after a shooting accident when he was 17 years old left him with life changing injuries.
After the shooting, Rick suffered a traumatic brain injury causing hemiplegia and other physical conditions which heavily impacted his life.
Through the help of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and the many supportive, inclusive community organisations in and around Rockhampton, Rick is overcoming obstacles and achieving new goals.
Rick said after the accident it was hard at first and he realised he was never going to be able to do the same things he had done in the past, life changed dramatically for the self-confessed sports enthusiast.
The impact of the accident on Rick’s life was evident. It started to impact his mental and physical health and he began a spiral of depression and drinking.
His brother stepped up and was able to help him on the road to recovery and healing, taking him back to country.
Rick said he went into depression and turned to alcohol for many years.
“My brother come along and got me from Rockhampton and took me back out to Moura,” Rick said.
“He showed me there’s more to life than just drinking. And I came good. I didn’t worry about
alcohol anymore.”
After spending time on country with his family, Rick found services in the Moura region couldn’t meet his disability needs.
“I ended up moving back from Moura to Rockhampton because I’m hemiplegic and needed more support,” he said.
“I have a heart condition and had done coronary care after a double bypass as well as having a stent placed.”
When it came to accessing the NDIS, Rick was hesitant at first but through the assistance of a Local Area Coordinator from Carers Queensland, he received his first NDIS plan and life turned a corner for the better.
“I’m so glad I did. It’s been wonderful, the NDIS has really changed my life,” he said.
“Otherwise, I’d just be sitting here overthinking. If it wasn’t for the NDIS, I don’t know, depression might have just got a hold of me.
“I’m a hell of a lot better person now.”
With NDIS supports, Rick is now more actively involved in his local community and is relieved to be getting his bathroom modified to make him safer in his own home.
“My life is so much better. I’m getting a disability bathroom because I have a lot of falls. I’ve had some pretty bad ones in the last eight months,” he said.
“And like I said, I had depression. I used to just sit here, and I was not motivated to do anything.
“My carer pushed me to try and get back into the community and I am thankful for the nudge.”
By learning new skills in a welcoming, group environment, Rick has found empowerment and purpose.
“I love woodwork and it’s just being around other people. It’s really changed my life. I’ve actually made some friends there, they’re all nice people,” he said.
“I’ve made a three-tiered planter and I’ve made a cutting board for my little pups. I cut up the dog food on it, so I burnt their names into it.
“I’m also making a stand, I haven’t finished it yet, but I’ve also got another project coming up. We’re going to make a Lazy Susan for one of the ladies I do gelati with.”
As a First Nation’s man, Rick said he has found it difficult to become involved in his culture due to the lack of services and events in the Rockhampton region.
“I would love to learn how to do Aboriginal Art. I’d like to know the laws around it. But no-one can find anyone around Rockhampton that does it,” he said.
“My coordinator is looking for more opportunities for me.”
Now in his 60s, Rick fondly recalls what life was like growing up as a Karingbal Yiman man.
“Life was great. I had five other brothers and sisters and dad was a butcher, so we lived in Rocky most of our lives,” Rick said.
“Then we moved out to Moura because dad got a butcher’s job out there and life was good.
“I had a pretty good life with dad, he always worked. I used to work on stations riding horses and mustering cattle. I’m not a skilled worker, I was just a labourer. I also worked in sawmills, tailing out sleepers for the railway.”
Being on country is a deeply emotional experience for Rick, one he looks forward to each time he is able reconnect with his ancient culture.
“You feel at ease, peaceful. People used to say that to me but I wasn’t sure what they meant. So, then I started going out on country and that’s when I found out what they meant.
“You just feel at home when you’re out on country,” he said.
“All my old people worked that country when they were younger. Most of them have passed now, but I’ve got a couple of old uncles left, and he still goes out on country, and I go out there with him sometimes and he tells me stuff.
“I love sitting down talking with him about the old ways.”
Rick encourages others to reach out and reclaim their lives.
“If they can get the NDIS, definitely do it. It will change your life. There’s a lot of help out there and a lot of people want to help. Life is so much better now,” Rick said.
Carers Queensland can support you to find out more about the NDIS, to apply for funding and to help you get started with the NDIS.
If you have a disability but are not eligible for the NDIS, Carers Queensland can help you identify and link to options for support in your community.
You can also contact Carers Queensland on 1300 999 636, cq.enquiries@ndis.gov.au, or sign up to our LAC Connect app.
