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Tristram's NDIS journey
Join Tristram as he shares his personal NDIS journey in this witty and inspiring video series.
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Preparing for my planning meeting
"Plan Partners have been instrumental in helping me, they've been incredibly supportive of my sporting dreams and aspirations. I can continue doing all these things that I love because I've got my NDIS plan in good shape." Tristram, Aussie Powerchair Team and Plan Partners' Customer
Episode 1 - Preparing for my planning meeting
Tristram shares his tips for how to prepare for your first planning meeting to get the best outcomes, including how to set your goals.
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Show Transcript
<p><strong>[00:00:04]</strong> Hi guys, me again. Welcome back.</p>
<p><strong>[00:00:08]</strong> The first episode was a bit self-indulgent about me — so let’s talk about you today.</p>
<p><strong>[00:00:14]</strong> We’re going to talk about preparing for the NDIS and how to set your goals.</p>
<p><strong>[00:00:20]</strong> When we talk about goals, these are the things you want to achieve in your life.</p>
<p><strong>[00:00:25]</strong> You can have short-term and medium-term goals — for instance, getting a job or taking up a sport.</p>
<p><strong>[00:00:33]</strong> Then there are long-term goals — things like buying your own home, moving out, or living independently.</p>
<p><strong>[00:00:39]</strong> They’re the big-picture things.</p>
<p><strong>[00:00:41]</strong> Together, they should paint a picture of the life you want.</p>
<p><strong>[00:00:49]</strong> The really important thing is that your goals capture who you are and all the things you want to do.</p>
<p><strong>[00:00:55]</strong> Your NDIS journey starts when your access request is approved by the government.</p>
<p><strong>[00:01:00]</strong> It’s a formal step where the government confirms your eligibility.</p>
<p><strong>[00:01:08]</strong> Once approved, they schedule a planning meeting.</p>
<p><strong>[00:01:13]</strong> You’ll bring your goals and a list of what you do in a typical week.</p>
<p><strong>[00:01:20]</strong> They’ll go through that with you and determine what’s considered “reasonable and necessary” to help you live the life you want.</p>
<p><strong>[00:01:27]</strong> What’s reasonable and necessary?</p>
<p><strong>[00:01:29]</strong> Honestly — no one really knows exactly.</p>
<p><strong>[00:01:32]</strong> That’s why it’s so important to have everything written down clearly, with as much evidence as possible.</p>
<p><strong>[00:01:38]</strong> It’s about showing why the supports you’re asking for are reasonable and necessary for your life.</p>
<p><strong>[00:01:44]</strong> The great thing is you actually get a say in your own life — what you want to do and what you believe you can achieve.</p>
<p><strong>[00:01:51]</strong> In your participant statement, you can capture everything about your life.</p>
<p><strong>[00:01:55]</strong> You can explain exactly who you are and what you want.</p>
<p><strong>[00:02:00]</strong> It’s a valuable way to flesh out the supports you need to achieve your goals.</p>
<p><strong>[00:02:06]</strong> And most importantly, it should be in your voice.</p>
<p><strong>[00:02:10]</strong> For instance, I don’t have the greatest handwriting — so I’ll just get Phantom Hand to do it for me.</p>
<p><strong>[00:02:16]</strong> One really valuable thing about your planning meeting is that you can bring whoever you want.</p>
<p><strong>[00:02:21]</strong> It could be a family member, a friend, an advocate — anyone who makes the process easier for you.</p>
<p><strong>[00:02:30]</strong> Be sure to bring them along.</p>
<p><strong>[00:02:33]</strong> I have my planning meeting in five days.</p>
<p><strong>[00:02:35]</strong> The question is — am I prepared?</p>
<p><strong>[00:02:38]</strong> Honestly, no. Does anyone ever really feel prepared?</p>
<p><strong>[00:02:42]</strong> I’m doing as much as I can — gathering reports, filling out booklets, looking at the NDIS website and other resources.</p>
<p><strong>[00:02:50]</strong> Do as much as you can. It’ll put you in good stead.</p>
<p><strong>[00:02:56]</strong> And most importantly — don’t stress.</p>
<p><strong>[00:02:59]</strong> The NDIA is genuinely there to help you live the life you want to live.</p>
<p><strong>[00:03:04]</strong> They’re going to work with you. Everything will be okay.</p>
<p><strong>[00:03:05]</strong> Subscribe and tune in for the next episode to find out how I went — you can do that via the link below.</p>
<p><strong>[00:03:12]</strong> Phantom hands… handsome hands… they’re somewhere.</p>
<p><strong>[00:03:15]</strong> Thanks, guys.</p>
<p><strong>[00:03:19]</strong> For more information on the NDIS and your journey, head to planpartners.com.au.</p>
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