A gardener has taken aim at Anthony Albanese’s government after intervening to help a disabled man who claims he has been waiting years for financial support through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Good Samaritan Nathan Stafford was alerted to an overgrown garden in Ryde, in Sydney’s northwest, by a local who knew the homeowner needed help.
Stafford arrived at the house on Wednesday and met John, who cannot garden because he can only walk with the aid of crutches due to a neurological disorder.
Despite being clearly disabled, John revealed he has been waiting “the last three or four years” for NDIS funding.
“It’s very frustrating to come into this and not see support (and) see clearly that you have a disability,” Stafford told Daily Mail Australia.
“It’s sad, because this guy is one of those who clearly needs support and he’s not getting it.”
He revealed that John’s father had died last year and that he now had to look after his two younger brothers, one of whom is still a child.
An NDIS spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia they could not comment on individual cases.
Good Samaritan Nathan Stafford (right) has highlighted the plight of ‘John’ whose garden he cleaned, saying he has waited years for financial support from the government.
It took an average of 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, Stafford refused to accept cash from John and instead gifted him $300 as a show of support.
The clip has since been viewed more than 1.2 million times worldwide. Facebook and Tik Tokwhich prompted more generous Australians to offer to help.
Mr Stafford has attracted millions of followers on social media as he films himself using his craft to help others in need and said John was “fantastic”.
“I’ve done all kinds of different properties for people from all walks of life,” he said.
‘It’s the simple things that mean the most, like when John asks, “Dude, can I buy you a drink?”
‘These guys don’t have much, they fight. And it’s just those little principles that make it worth it, you know?
“These are the ones you want to help, they really make it a lot more enjoyable.”
Stafford, who provides her work for free to those who need it, said it was “frustrating” to see a disabled person who “clearly” needs support but is not receiving it.
He argued the Albanian government should do more and urged both the state and Commonwealth to fix the NDIS and social housing.
“Fix this, please fix this right away,” Stafford said.
‘At least (the garden) was tidied up that afternoon, which is good for it, but why do I have to go down?
‘The only reason people listened is because I have a platform… these people who live in these places don’t have a voice, so how do you fix these things?’
“Let’s just help these people, that’s all I’m trying to emphasize. It would make life so much better for everyone.”
