Budget $30m boost to disabled

...She is totally reliant on her mother.

She has been on a waiting list for a new wheelchair for 18 months.

The one she uses now is on loan from the Nepean Special School, where she is in year 2.

And with Kaitlyn weighing more than 25 kilograms, Ms Larikka isn't sure how much longer she can lift her into the small 1980s Mazda 323 she drives.

"People don't realise what it takes on a day-to-day, week-to-week, month-to-month basis to care for somebody full time," Ms Larikka said.

"I love my girl to death and at the moment she is my whole life, she is my whole life." Ms Larikka and Kaitlyn are set to benefit from part of the $30.2 million in Victorian Government funding to help people with disabilities including, for the first time, money to modify cars.

More than $20 million of the funding — to be allocated in next week's state budget and spread over four years — will be spent on aids, equipment and home modifications, while $9.5 million has been allocated to reduce equipment waiting lists, particularly those for children.

The funding also contains $400,000 to remove the waiting list for 459 children at the Royal Children's Hospital who need equipment to help with their disabilities.

Mr Bracks said the money was aimed at helping people with disabilities live independent lives.

Ms Larikka said the news to fix up the waiting list was fantastic, as she is on list for the Mount Eliza a...

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