Matthew Stratton is funny, loving, and his mum Kerry's best mate.
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"We have a wonderful and joyous life together," Kerry said, as Matthew hummed happily in agreement.
Matthew, who is 40 years old, is non-verbal, and has epilepsy, among other life-long disabilities.
Getting NDIS support has become "terribly brutal," Kerry says, which is why they will take part in a National Day of Action on Thursday.
"Being born with a life-long disability means it is a permanent journey," she said.
"Being a parent to my son means I will always have to make sure he sees a doctor on time, goes to the dentist, all those parts of normal life.
"On top of that you have the cumbersome, terribly brutal system of documentation you have to maintain to stay part of the NDIS.
"You have to keep handing in the same reports, you have to try to make sure there is an understanding of a permanent disability, it takes up so much of your life.
"There must be a better way."
People with disability, families, and workers from across the Illawarra and Shoalhaven will unite in Wollongong Arts Precinct to protest individual plan cuts that have left people along the South Coast without critical support.
The Illawarra Disability Alliance welcomes anyone to attend between 10.30am and 11.15am, to listen to stories like Kerry and Matthew's and meet with federal candidates, state and local members to lobby for support to defend the NDIS.
According to economic modelling by Pro Capita in 2021, the NDIS supports more than 12,000 jobs in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven, and contributes more than $1.1 billion to the local economy:
In the key marginal seat of Gilmore, 4,162 people employed by the NDIS - 2,775 are directly employed and a further 1,387 people indirectly employed. The NDIS contributes $387,585,416 to the local economy in Gilmore.
In Cunningham, there are 3,542 people employed by the NDIS - 2,361 are directly employed, with a further 1,181 people employed indirectly. The NDIS contributes $329,843,327 to the local economy in the seat of Cunningham.
In Whitlam, there are 4,490 people employed by the NDIS - 2,993 directly and 1,497 indirectly. The NDIS contributes $418,128,529 to the local economy in Whitlam.
There are 10,157 NDIS participants in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven..
On Thursday night people with disability, families, workers and disability advocates will stage the first NDIS - Big Night In, a two-hour national Zoom rally to cap off the day of action.
