Sad twist after Aussie gardener's kind act goes viral

What started as a kind act by a gardener after an "anonymous tip-off" has revealed the tough reality for the man who was being helped, with thousands online pushing for change to the NDIS approval process after the video went viral.

Gardener Nathan Stafford knocked on John's door in Ryde, Sydney at the end of June and offered to mow his "overgrown lawn" for free, a complimentary service the gardener often provides whenever he passes unkempt yards. John, who answered the door on his crutches, was delighted.

After the men started chatting Nathan learned John, who is in his 40s, suffers from a Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), a condition that impacts his mobility and senses, and he confided that he was in the process of submitting an application to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) for funding again after his previous submissions were rejected.

After a video of the yard clean-up was posted online and went viral, a friendship was formed between the men and Nathan regularly "pops in to say G'day" to John. However, an unanswered text was enough to prompt concern, and on Wednesday, Nathan learned why.

NDIS reject John's funding application again

The application was allegedly rejected on the grounds that John's impairment may not be permanent. Nathan was frustrated by the result, saying John's quality of life is impacted right now by his disability.

"You're looking at how his hands are, they're cramping up, they're twitching... I've probably seen him fall over about seven times in his house... he needs the help," he told Yahoo News. "I'm no doctor but what I can see is his muscles and nerves will be impacted long term."

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FND impacts people in different ways and symptoms can be short-lived, while for others it can continue for many years. Nathan is concerned about the mental health repercussions of another funding blow.

"Someone like him who is on his own... he'll just give up, then it goes back to the mental health side of things, stuck in those little four walls. It's not good for you... he's really deflated," he said.

Thousands call decision to reject NDIS funding plea a 'disgrace'

After sharing an update on John's unsuccessful NDIS funding application in a video online, thousands were eager to call out the decision.

"This is a disgrace. This needs rectifying immediately so John gets the help needed. C'mon Australia. What kind of country have we become," one Aussie wrote, tagging Bill Shorten, the Minister for the NDIS. "How is this man not qualified for disability assistance? I don't get it," another wrote.

Nathan confirmed to Yahoo News a member of Bill Shorten's team has since reached out to John after the attention the gardener brought to his situation.

Government cut funding during NDIS reform

More than 646,000 Aussies are supported by the NDIS, however, recent budget cuts made by the Albanese government, who called the current scheme financially unstable, have put pressure on the system and all of those within it.

Disability groups have raised the alarm on the federal budget cuts, explaining some organisations are barely able to stay afloat and assist vulnerable Aussies in need of their help.

This week the head of Australia's disability rights peak body, People with Disability Australia, lashed out at the government's proposed reform after advocates spent months formally suggesting what "mindful change" can be done to ensure the NDIS is sustainable but still provides adequate assistance for those who use it.

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