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4 months ago
23
A gardener has taken aim at Anthony Albanese's government after stepping in to help a disabled man who claims he has been waiting years for financial support via the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
The good Samaritan tradie, Nathan Stafford, was alerted to an overgrown garden at Ryde in Sydney's north-west by a local who knew the owner needed assistance.
Mr Stafford arrived at the house on Wednesday and met John, who is unable to tend the garden because he can only walk with the aid of crutches due to a neurological disorder.
Despite being clearly disabled, John revealed that he has been waiting 'the past three, four years' for funding from the NDIS.
'It's very frustrating walking into that to see no support (and) to see that clearly, he has a disability,' Mr Stafford told Daily Mail Australia.
'It's sad, because this guy is one of the ones that really clearly does need support and he's not getting it.'
He revealed John's father had died last year and he was now left to care for his two younger siblings, one of whom is still a child.
An NDIS spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia they were unable to comment on individual cases.
Good Samaritan tradie Nathan Stafford (right) has highlighted the plight of 'John' whose garden he cleaned up, claiming he's waited years for financial support from the government
They it took an average 20 days to process claims, and John's application may be on hold pending more information.
In a video posted to his social media channels, Mr Stafford refused to take any cash from John and instead gifted him $300 as a token of support.
The clip has since been viewed more than 1.2million times across Facebook and TikTok, leading to more generous Aussies coming forward offering to help.
Mr Stafford has attracted millions of followers on social media as he films himself using his trade to help others in need, and said John was 'fantastic'.
'I've done all different kinds of properties for people from all different walks of life,' he said.
'It's the simple things that mean the most, like (John asking) "Mate, can I get you a drink?".
'These guys don't have a lot, they struggle. And it's just those little principles that make it worth it, you know.
'These are the ones you want to be helping, they really make it a lot more enjoyable.'
Mr Stafford, who provides his labour for free to those in need, said it was 'frustrating' to see a disabled person 'clearly' in need of support but not getting it
He argued that the Albanese government should be doing more and urged both the state and commonwealth to fix the NDIS and social housing.
'Get this fixed, please, get this fixed immediately,' Mr Stafford said.
'At least (the garden) was fixed that afternoon, which is good for him but why is it that I've got to go down?
'The only reason people listened is because I have a platform... these people that are living in these places don't have a voice so how do they get these things sorted?
'Let's just help these people, that's all I'm trying to highlight. It would make life a lot better for everyone.'
English (US)