LOCKED OUT: Former Griffith sport star Nick Scott with partner Nikki Staines and son Porter Scott, 2. The family is locked in a battle with the state government.
NICK Scott has had to accept a lot in the six months since a freak accident left him a quadriplegic – the prospect of life in a wheelchair, the excruciating daily rehab, the loss of identity.
Through it all, one milestone alone has kept the former local sport star going – the day he was to move back home with his partner Nikki and two-year-old son Porter.
But in the cruellest blow imaginable, Mr Scott, 26, has this week been told that move could be months away after the NSW Department of Family and Community Services admitted it was not in a financial position to provide him with the care he needed to return home.
Despite the fact the community has raised thousands for Mr Scott and a group of his mates have transformed his Murrumbidgee Estate home to be wheelchair friendly, the state government has refused to fast-track his application for an attendant care package, saying it was “too broke”.
“I want to be home with my family, it’s the only thing that’s got me through,” Mr Scott said.
“I just want to lay in bed with Nikki, I want to be with my boy, I want to get back to living.
“Of all the things the government spends money on this is so important for people in my position and the money should be there. I could have been home months ago if it was.”
Mr Scott has been assessed for the package and has been told he is likely eligible, but remains stranded in the general ward of Griffith Base Hospital until at least the new financial year, when the government will again assess his situation.
A response was sought from the department but not received by the time of publication. Local member and senior state government minister Adrian Piccoli has vowed to take up the fight for Mr Scott and his family.
“From time-to-time, people do fall through the cracks and it’s not right,” Mr Piccoli said.
“I’m keen to do whatever I can to support Nick ... the most important thing is that he gets to be with his family.”
Mr Scott, a former A-grade cricketer, keen rugby league player and golfer, said the accident had irrevocably changed his perspective on life.
“I can’t do the same things I used to do but I can do other things better,” he said.
“I’m not as focused on sport and stuff. I’m a better listener now and I just want to contribute and be a good father to Porter.
“I’m going to be a quadriplegic the rest of my life, there’s nothing I can do about that.
“But I can do something about my attitude and I’m determined to be positive the whole way though.”
A fundraiser for Mr Scott will be held on June 9 at Griffith Leagues Club, with a dinner and a range of sporting memorabilia to go under the hammer.