Happy Birthday Australia....do you have a minute for a quick chat?

Happy Birthday Australia I'm just listening to all your birthday celebrations, sounds like its going to be a good day....might be a few weather issues this year though.
As we pat you on the back and drink to your health can I just raise an issue with you that is near to my heart? I just can't get beyond your neglect of people with a disability in your country. Sure there are "programs" and "pensions" but these are discoloured by what people who are raising/caring for a disabled person/child actually put up with.
I am one of these people, my daughter is disabled and has a rare genetic syndrome that I'm sure you have never heard of.....she faces severe obstacles that limit her life experiences and as well that impacts on me. Her father and his entire family have walked away so its just up to me. I work full time and then as one stranger once put it " So you knock off work then go home to carry bricks?"
Yes, I bloody well do. I need to employ carers because I can't be at two places at once ( she arrives home two hours before me from her day program than I do from my job) I pay for her attendance at her day care program and the transport costs. I pay for her medical insurance and take her to all specialists and doctors appointments. I supply a roof over her head and buy all her clothing and food. I take her everywhere as her personal driver and I am on call 24 hours a day 7 days a week. I have an extremely limited social life (surprise!) and I get about $50 a week in way of a carer payment from the government for my efforts. And I will be doing this for the rest of my life.
If I  want to explore that murky world called "respite" that's when the misery really begins. Phone calls need to be made to government departments who are all sympathy but NO action. They fob you off to some other association all the while making supporting sounds. They promise the world but it doesn't happen. If  I want to pay for my daughter to spend 2 nights at a respite centre, which happens to be an awesome farm that she absolutely adores, I have to begin a series of  endless phone calls pleading with government employees to fund the care. If I were to pay it myself the cost is over $1700....true.
What we need is a system that genuinely gives people a BREAK....that's all it takes. The opportunity to not be on duty all day everyday does wonders for anyone.
So as the clock ticks over for another Birthday for you Australia can you maybe have a big think about the citizens who are voiceless and sinking under unnecessary pressure.......not that you ever hear too much from them as they have their work cut out for them.
So I will raise a glass to you and drink to your health but I'll be mentally calculating how much respite care could have been delivered as you push on with the extravagance of your birthday celebrations. Call me any day I'd love to have a chat. (free of charge)

Cheers