South Australian twins denied nursing support for school

The parents of twin girls in South Australia are fighting for more medical support after their request was denied by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). The five-year-old twins, Stella and Maisey Bowman, have serious health issues that require close medical monitoring. Their conditions mean they often need resuscitating. The girls were born prematurely and have a rare genetic condition called congenital myasthenic syndrome, among other health problems. Their mother, Reneya Baird, has performed CPR on one of her daughters multiple times. The girls have had a registered nurse to support them for the past five years. To enroll the twins in school, Ms. Baird asked the NDIA for additional nursing support, following advice from their medical team. However, after a serious health scare involving Stella, the NDIA rejected the request, stating it was not "value for money." Instead, they offered funding for less qualified support workers. Ms. Baird expressed her anger over the NDIA's decision. She believes their medical needs are not being properly considered. The family is now considering homeschooling the twins as they cannot attend school without the required care. The NDIA has acknowledged issues in decision-making, noting that staff often do not read all medical reports thoroughly. As the Bowman family prepares to contest the NDIA's decision, they stress the importance of having appropriate care to ensure their daughters' safety.