Your child has been diagnosed with FA, what next? Whether your child’s FA diagnosis was expected or a profound shock, your reaction to the news is yours alone.
You may react in a different way to your partner, family or support network. There’s no right or wrong way to feel. You may experience some profound emotions - relief, shock, anger, grief, loss, guilt.
Just as your reaction is yours alone, so is the journey your family will travel. Yes, there are other children with FA, but those children are not identical to yours… nor are their families.
Click here to visit a site developed by Queensland Government that’s a helpful starting point as you digest and process this news.
Companion Card:
A Companion Card makes going to events like football games, festivals, concerts and movies more affordable for FAers who rely on help from someone else most (or all) of the time.
Having a Companion Card means you receive 2 tickets for the price of 1 when attending events or activities at participating venues. Simply visit a participating business, show your card when you buy your ticket and you will receive a second ‘companion’ ticket, at no charge, for your companion or carer. This ticket is also exempt from booking fees and the cost of the ticket is covered by the business.
The Companion Card is valid on public transport too.
The card is issued in the name of the FAer and is valid for 5 years. It gives cardholders freedom to go to different places with different people. The cardholder’s companion may be a partner, family member, friend, volunteer or paid carer assistant. There is an application form to fill and you’ll need your condition and the extent of your disability verified by your GP.
Disability Parking Permit:
Australia now has one disability parking permit that is recognised in all states and territories - the Australian Disability Parking Permit. It’s managed and issued in Queensland by the Department of Transport and Main Roads. Currently permits are issued with 5-year validity.
If you are a Queensland resident you are eligible for a permit if your FA severely restricts your ability to walk or it you’re unable to walk and always require the use of a wheelchair. There is an application form to fill and a fee to pay (currently (Sept 2024) that’s a once off application fee and renewals are free so long as they’re within 3 months of expiry) and you’ll need your condition and the extent of your disability verified by your GP.
Driving Licence:
It’s perfectly legal for an FAer to drive so long as it’s safe for them to do so. However, there are a number of FA symptoms which will become more pronounced as the condition progresses so it’s essential (and legally required) that an FAer notify the Department of their diagnosis so their suitability to hold a licence can be periodically assessed.
Taxi Subsidy:
The Taxi Subsidy Scheme subsidises taxi travel for people with severe disabilities. Eligibility criteria apply but include being wheelchair-dependent or permanently dependent on a walking aid.
Half of the total taxi fare is subsidised (up to a maximum of $25 per trip, as at Oct 2012). There is an application form to fill and you’ll need your condition and the extent of your disability verified by your GP.
Translink Access Pass:
A Translink access pass is available to people who can travel independently on Translink services but who have been assessed by a qualified health care professional as being unable to independently use the go card ticketing system. For instance, someone wheelchair-bound who has limited fine hand movement
For an annual fee, the access pass allows unlimited travel on all Translink services (except Airtrain) for one year. There is an application form to fill and you’ll need your condition and the extent of your disability verified by your GP.
Carer Business Discount Card:
Many of the same businesses that give pensioner discounts also give discounts to carers. A carer with a QLD address registered with Centrelink can apply online here.