The 65-year-old Nambucca woman has severe rheumatoid arthritis, which had contributed to a lack of energy and motivation in her life.

“It takes me so long to do things and everyday chores were difficult and painful, so by the time I got through them I was so exhausted that I just couldn’t be bothered to go out anywhere. I ended up just spending time sitting on the lounge watching television,” she said.

“I lost motivation and really lost touch with the community because it was just too hard to go out. I had no energy because those little things that you have to do every day were so difficult.”

After living with a disability for more than 30 years, Karen was hesitant to ask for help.

“It’s really hard to keep asking friends and family for help over such a long time. You want to be independent, but you still need help,” Karen said.

“I just kept struggling on my own and it was just everything piling on top of one another, and no relief. That’s the thing with a disability, you just don’t get relief.”

Six months ago, Karen joined the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and says it has changed her life.

“It was lovely to be able to have a choice for the first time. I had choice - what do you want, when do you want it and who do you want. That was overwhelming,” she said.

Karen now has visits from a support worker three days a week who assists with housework, shopping and other household tasks. With food preparation taken care of, Karen can now cook meals for herself, something that she previously couldn’t do.

Not only has Karen seen improvements thanks to regular hydrotherapy and physiotherapy sessions, the NDIS has also brought holistic change to her life, including to her mental health, general wellbeing and even sleeping habits.

“I feel like I’m doing something, it’s not a waste of time anymore. I just feel physically better because I’m out and doing things. My world has brightened up.”

The highlight of Karen’s week however is a meditation class: “It helps motivate you to do even more meditation at home. The class helps you to be able to do it on your own”.

“You can read a book and learn how to do it, but it’s the point of going out and doing it in a class and you meet the same people every week.

“It’s something I now look forward to, I haven’t missed a class yet and it’s been a really good change.”

Despite her initial reservations in asking for help, Karen says the level of independence she now has far outweighs any hesitations.

“Even though you’ve got someone coming in and helping you, it still feels like you’re independent,” she said.

“I had previously been trying to maintain my independence and I had pushed myself too far in trying to achieve that independence. Now I have less pain and more freedom to do other activities which I enjoy, and I now have an overall sense of total care and a future with ongoing support.

“It’s changed my life for the better and it’s really lifted my spirits.”