The heartbreaking life story of a disabled man who was rejected by the NDIS, shocking and angering millions of Australians, has been revealed for the first time.
John G, 36, told Daily Mail Australia he was a hardworking civil engineer on Sydney’s largest rail project before he became a “shivering wreck”.
John, who can only walk with crutches due to a serious neurological condition and has been waiting four years for help from the NDIS, apologised for the mess in his Ryde home in Sydney’s north-west.
John says he can barely walk, let alone clean, and the pile of takeout in his living room is a result of his inability to drive or go grocery shopping.
“It’s embarrassing… I used to be a clean freak,” John said.
‘I liked working hard and taking pride in my appearance. I had a partner who I expected to marry and have children with.
‘Now I can’t go out or even socialize because I look so bad and I’m a danger with these involuntary movements. I’ve lost everything but I would still like to have a job if I can.’
John, whose plight became public after gardener Nathan Stafford mowed his overgrown lawn for free, is the eldest of three children of Italian-Greek parents.
NDIS applicant John said he was a hard-working, proud civil engineer working on Sydney’s biggest project before calling himself a “shaking wreck”.
John (black and white shirt) pictured as a young man at his grandmother’s birthday, had a fiancée, a great job and was physically fit before the neurological condition took him over
John G with good Samaritan Nathan Stafford, who cleaned up the garden in Ryde and campaigned for the 36-year-old neurological sufferer’s application for acceptance onto the NDIS
He lost his mother at ‘quite a young age’ and last year his father George, a well-known rugby physiotherapist, died at the age of 70.
As a young man, John practiced Taekwondo and played rugby league hook and centre at Ryde Secondary College.
“I used to love the game,” he said.
‘I miss the physical aspect.’
After school, John studied psychology and civil engineering at TAFE and ‘earned enough tickets’ to get hired on the then fledgling Sydney Metro, Australia’s largest public transport project.
John said he worked “hands on” building the massive tunnel.
‘I was a real craftsman, operated gantry cranes, was a dog man, worked on hoists and did work on high platforms.’
“I was a very important player in that project. I had 30 guys under me and worked 14 to 15 hours a day,” he said, a sense of satisfaction in his voice.
“I loved my job. I miss it so much.”
Five years ago, John became ill. At first he suffered from non-epileptic seizures, then he fell a lot and felt paralyzed.
“The world was at my feet, I was doing very, very well, when (the disease) came at me like a storm – yes, like a freight train,” he said.
‘I was the big brother to my 21-year-old brother and my 17-year-old sister, but now I’m sick and they have to live their own lives.
“It’s gotten worse since Dad passed away.”
John said his house was a mess of dirty dishes and boxes of takeout because he was physically unable to clean up and the former ‘tidy freak’ said he was embarrassed by the state of his home.
Despite a promise from NDIS Minister Bill Shorten on Wednesday in response to questions on John’s behalf, he said he is still waiting for help to clear his home
John said he can no longer travel on public transport or go to the shops because of his involuntary movements and the risk of falls.
“I used to have enough energy to eat this whole house for breakfast, but now I can’t even get up to open the door,” he said.
‘I’ve really started to isolate myself because of the way I look. I used to be able to dress well. I liked to dress nicely and be social, but I understand that sometimes it’s not nice for people to see me.’
John showed the letter from his doctor, written for the NDIS, stating that he suffers from a serious neurological disorder and a depressive illness.
The letter says that John “has a severe movement disorder that limits his mobility” and that his father’s death has made him “even more vulnerable.”
The doctor also stated that John’s conditions “should be considered permanent and treated to the maximum extent possible.”
John said he is on a “pile of medications,” listing at least five different prescriptions, as well as “Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation,” which he says does not improve his condition.
John (left) while on the road working on the Sydney Metro project before his health (right) tragically deteriorated due to a neurological condition
To be eligible for an NDIS benefit, a person must have ‘a disability that results in a permanent impairment’.
Neither Severe Neurological Disorder nor John’s other possible diagnosis, Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), appear on the dizzyingly long list of medical conditions on the NDIS qualifying list.
“It’s just gotten worse, a lot worse. It’s uncertain, if you know what I mean, and I find it really hard to do things for myself,” John said.
“I can’t live like this any longer. This is the worst condition the house has ever been in. The floor needs to be cleaned, it’s becoming a fire hazard.”
His doctor’s letter states that John has been “unable to work since 2019” due to his diagnosed conditions, but that doesn’t stop him from hoping to find work.
He solves Sudoku and other puzzles every day “to keep my brain alive,” as well as 5,000-piece jigsaw puzzles, which he hopes to sell.
John had his own personal views on disability before he became ill. He worked for Vinnies Vans and the Wayside Chapel in Kings Cross and says he couldn’t do that volunteer work now.
‘It makes me all emotional because I am a person at high risk for falls.
“I could be shaking and hurt someone. If I’m holding a cup of coffee, the guy next to me could be carrying it.”
Minister Bill Shorten did respond to questions from Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday about John’s care, but John said he had been reassured previously and had ‘waited long enough’
John, who doesn’t like pills, said he was forced to take “a flood” of medications to manage his condition, but there was no going back.
Gardener Nathan Stafford mows John’s lawn in one of many videos the online personality has posted about the disabled Ryde resident’s plight as he awaits NDIS approval
After Daily Mail Australia asked the NDIS for comment on why John’s application had been rejected, Minister Bill Shorten’s office responded.
“Our office is working hard with the NDIS to ensure John receives the appropriate care support,” Mr Shorten’s spokesman said.
“I have spoken to John and he is grateful for this support and welcomes any help with open arms.”
John politely replied that he had been promised help several times over the years.
“I’ve waited long enough. I hope it actually happens.”
