Gold medal winning Paralympian denied assistance because she wasn't 'disabled enough'
A gold medal-winning Paralympian has been told by the Australian government she wasn’t ‘disabled enough’ to qualify for an assistance card.
Tracy Barrell is an Order of Australia recipient, a gold medal-winning Paralympian, and a strong campaigner for those living with disabilities.
Ms Barrel was born with no legs and only one arm due to a medication her mother was given for morning sickness during her pregnancy.
Despite her disabilities, in 1992, she won two gold medals for Australia at the Barcelona Paralympics in the Women's 4x50 metre Freestyle, and the Women's 50 metre Butterfly.
But when she recently went to apply for a companion card from the Australian government, she was rejected on the grounds she ‘didn’t have enough evidence’ and wasn’t classed as disabled enough.
A companion card allows people with disabilities to be accompanied to certain events and venues by a friend, family member or carer without them having to pay.
Paralympian's inspirational journey
“I wasn't able to receive one due to the ability that I was still able to use my prescribed aids - my skateboard, motorised scooter and modified car,” Ms Barrell told The Daily Mail.
The single mum-of-two used a combination of the above to live her life as independently as possible, but said she still faced hurdles every day.
A friend has since organised a Change.Org petition to push for a review of the decision.
Ms Barrell’s two sons are her biggest help and she does not have a full-time carer.
However she struggles to get out of the house and battles with situational depression.
Australian born without limbs drives for the first time
The card would allow her to participate in more activities without the financial pressure of having to pay for someone to go with her, or help her out.
'I do brave it and do these things myself, but it would be a hell of a lot easier if I had help,' she said.
Ms Barrell told The Daily Mail she felt she ticked all the boxes for the card eligibility and was 'distraught' when she found out she had been rejected.
“I cried all day,” she said.
She hoped her story would open up the conversation about the support disabled people receive in Australia, and help inform the public about everyday struggles people with disabilities face.
“It's not even my battle anymore, it's everybody else's battle too and that's what I really stand for.”
Wheelchair-bound athlete bears torch
