Is there enough gold to go around?

A few short weeks ago, Australians were transfixed by the quest for gold at the London Olympics. We held our collective breath as Sally Pearson won the 100m hurdles by two one-hundredths of a second.

It was interesting to see the calculation of just how many millions of dollars it cost us for each medal won by Australians at the Olympics. According to Sports Researcher Dr James Connor, each medal won (there were 35 in total) cost the Australian public approximately $10.7 million. That's a total cost of $327 million. In the four years leading up to the London Games, the Australian Federal Government invested more than $382 million towards elite sport. Then there is the sponsorship from companies keen to bask in the reflected glory of medals won. Money everywhere!

As we turn our attention once again to London, this time for the Paralympics, it begs the question - will the event capture the attention of Australians like the able-bodied games? While the ABC will broadcast 100 hours of the Paralympics including the opening and closing ceremonies, will the event receive the same, dedicated coverage in the newspapers? And as for sponsorship, forget it. Apparently a medal in the Paralympics is worth little compared to one won a few weeks earlier by an able-bodied athlete.

This year, we will send 161 athletes to the London Paralympics, the largest Australian team ever. In 2011-2012, the Federal Government provided more than $13.5 million to the Australian Paralympic Committee, as well as $2.7 million in Direct Athlete Support.

In June of this year, the Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers, Senator Jan McLucas told the Australian Paralympic Committee: "The Paralympics is an opportunity for people with disability to come together and show Australia, and the world, that people with disability can live their dreams, achieve their goals and reach their full potential," she said.

By all means we should admire the athleticism and dedication to sport of those who represent our country at an elite level, whether they be Paralympians or able-bodied athletes. But as we watch people compete at the highest level, perhaps we should think about those people who face a different kind of struggle every single day.

The Productivity Commission tells us that there are 410,000 Australians with disabilities who have a permanent or a significant disability and who will be in need of support for the rest of their lives.

If you suffer a life changing disability as the result of car accident, the Transport Accident Commission in Victoria (and similar authorities in the other states and territories) will cover the costs of any medical treatment, rehabilitation services, disability services, income assistance, travel and household support services required as a result of a transport accident. Not so for those whose disability is a result of some other cause. Then you are in the disability funding lottery, where some win, but most lose.

To provide a fairer and more equitable outcome for all Australians with a disability, the Productivity Commission recommended the setup of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). This scheme will ensure no one misses out on essential support and services to live life to the fullest, much like our Olympic athletes.

The commission estimated that the NDIS would cost $13.6 billion to roll out between

2018-2019. This is no small sum, but what price will we pay to be fair?

The commission also recommended the introduction of the National Injury Insurance Scheme (NISS), which would cover the lifetime care and support needs for all people who experience a catastrophic injury andoperate like Medicare, funded through premiums from insurance policies, state, territory and federal governments.

Although the NDIS has the nominal support of both sides of politics, it has still become a political football with no real commitment to funding beyond some limited trials such as one slated for Barwon beginning in 2013.

The organisation I lead, Wesley Mission Victoria, provides disability services and support to many hundreds of people and their families. When I think about the NDIS, I think about one of our service users, 20 year old Emily (not her real name). Emily was given up by her mother at the age of five. With severe Autism, she was placed in and out of foster care for most of her younger years, before finding a permanent home through Wesley. Without around the clock support, her carer would not have been able to give Emily a decent chance at life. With the support of Wesley and some very limited government funding, Emily's carer is able to provide for Emily. But the funds are short and only cover her most basic needs.

The NDIS is not about money. It's about dignity. It's about supporting the young people with an acquired brain injury so they don't have to live in nursing homes with people three times their age. It's about not limiting people with disabilities to two showers a week because they don't have the money to employ a disability support worker. It's about not making a child wait two years for a wheelchair.

If only we placed the same focus on people with disabilities as we do on elite sport, many who struggle every day, just to enjoy the simple things in life just like you and I, would be better off.

Australia's Paralympians are profoundly inspiring, but let's not forget those who really need our help. Those who don't have trainers and nutritionists and sponsors, but depend on regular medical appointments, carers and family members to support them as they face hurdles every single day.