Good Samaritan Nathan Stafford’s lawnmowing deed for disabled man leads to shocking revelation about the NDIS
A gardener has taken aim at Anthony Albanese’s government after he stepped in to help a disabled man who claims he has been waiting for years for financial support through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Good Samaritan tradition, Nathan Stafford, was alerted to an overgrown garden in Ryde in Sydney’s northwest by a local resident who knew the owner needed help.
Mr Stafford arrived at the house on Wednesday and met John, who is unable to maintain the garden as he can only walk with the help of crutches due to a neurological condition.
Despite being clearly disabled, John revealed he has been waiting for funding from the NDIS for ‘the last three, four years’.
“It’s very frustrating to stand there and not see any support and see that he clearly has a disability,” Stafford told Daily Mail Australia.
“It’s sad because this man is one of those who clearly needs support and he’s not getting it.”
He revealed that John’s father had passed away last year and he now had to look after his two younger siblings, one of whom is still a child.
A spokesperson for the NDIS told Daily Mail Australia they could not comment on individual cases.
Good Samaritan tradition Nathan Stafford (right) has highlighted the plight of ‘John’ whose garden he cleared, claiming he has waited years for government financial support
It took an average of 20 days to process claims, and John’s application may be delayed pending more information.
In a video posted to his social media channels, Mr Stafford refused to accept cash from John and instead gave him $300 as a show of support.
The clip has since been viewed more than 1.2 million times Facebook And TikTokwhich led to more generous Australians coming forward to help.
Mr Stafford has attracted millions of followers on social media as he films himself using his profession to help others in need, and said John was ‘fantastic’.
“I’ve done all different types of properties for people from all walks of life,” he said.
‘It’s the simple things that mean the most, like (John asks) “Mate, can I buy you a drink?”.
“These guys don’t have much, they struggle. 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 fun.”
Mr Stafford, who provides his labor free of charge to those in need, said it was ‘frustrating’ to see a disabled person ‘clearly’ needing support but not receiving it.
He argued that the Albanian government should do more and urged both the state and the Commonwealth to fix the NDIS and social housing.
“Get this fixed, please, get this fixed immediately,” Mr. Stafford said.
“Anyway, (the garden) was repaired that afternoon, which is good for him, but why do I have to come down?
“The only reason people listened is because I have a platform… these people living in these places don’t have a voice, so how do they get these things right?
“Let’s just help these people, that’s all I’m trying to emphasize. It would make life a lot better for everyone.’