Update
In April 2023, I decided to discontinue advocacy as Bipolar Courage. I have left up my work as a resource but since May 2023, I won't be adding further content as a blog or a vlog. I didn't finish saying everything I wanted to say about ACC (as it's such a draining topic). I am applying for reassessment, as I am legally entitled for it.
I haven't completely gone away, as I have repurposed as Soar Purpose, which will focus on my creative expression (art, writing, photography etc) beyond advocacy. So far, Soar Purpose hasn't involved speaking in front of the camera, and I think that I will keep it that way.
I haven't completely gone away, as I have repurposed as Soar Purpose, which will focus on my creative expression (art, writing, photography etc) beyond advocacy. So far, Soar Purpose hasn't involved speaking in front of the camera, and I think that I will keep it that way.
ADVocacy
In addition to my advocacy as Bipolar Courage as a blog, vlog, books and my two solo art as therapy exhibitions, I have been fighting a legal battle with Accident Compensation Corporation, ACC. In a nutshell, ACC paid for my therapy for my mental injury of post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD but when it came to the compensation stage of a small lump sum payout, ACC paid more to 3 psychiatrists and 2 solicitors than to pay me compensation, which is an entitlement in New Zealand. Even though one of the psychiatrists assesssed well in my favour. There are laws that protect the billion-dollar entity of ACC.
Please note that I have not accepted donations and I have I made a profit from my advocacy.
I am also the founder of advocacy group, Oz Kiwi, even though I am neither acknowledged nor part of it now. I choose the name, founded the Facebook page and original website (way before it became a 'registered Australian body'). Oz Kiwi influenced both the Australian and New Zealand governments and who knows helped how many thousands of people (immigration issue). There is now a direct pathway for New Zealand citizens to also become Australian citizens (if meet the eligibility criteria).
Please note that I have not accepted donations and I have I made a profit from my advocacy.
I am also the founder of advocacy group, Oz Kiwi, even though I am neither acknowledged nor part of it now. I choose the name, founded the Facebook page and original website (way before it became a 'registered Australian body'). Oz Kiwi influenced both the Australian and New Zealand governments and who knows helped how many thousands of people (immigration issue). There is now a direct pathway for New Zealand citizens to also become Australian citizens (if meet the eligibility criteria).
ACC ADvocacy
I get fatigued very easily and I am not able to act as an advocate respresenting someone else directly. I have been through the process of impairment assessment, review, reassessment, court appeal hearing. I now know what the laws and excuses are for what I see as corruption to avoid paying out claimants. I am eligible by law to be reassessed, yet again. I have no confidence in the process, as it's biased from the start but I have decided to go through with it.
I will link the blog posts topics regarding ACC below. I hope that my experiences help others, so they know what they are up against. As I can, I will write more, to share what I have learned, to help others undergoing this very daunting process.
I have also read some of the blog posts out on video on my YouTube channel, Bipolar Courage.
There are two playlists related to ACC:
1. ACC compensation process (mental injury PTSD). This is mostly reading out the blog posts from what I have learned going all the way to court.
2. Voice for the vulnerable - ACC battle. Raw processing. This was as I was going through it (the triggers, frustration, emotion, shutdown).
I will link the blog posts topics regarding ACC below. I hope that my experiences help others, so they know what they are up against. As I can, I will write more, to share what I have learned, to help others undergoing this very daunting process.
I have also read some of the blog posts out on video on my YouTube channel, Bipolar Courage.
There are two playlists related to ACC:
1. ACC compensation process (mental injury PTSD). This is mostly reading out the blog posts from what I have learned going all the way to court.
2. Voice for the vulnerable - ACC battle. Raw processing. This was as I was going through it (the triggers, frustration, emotion, shutdown).
Blog Posts about my battle with ACC
"Law for lump sum compensation from ACC".
This is a copy and paste of the legal section from the District Court), for my hearing of competing impairment assessments, signed by the Judge (law degrees).
"Law for ACC lump sum compensation review."
This is a copy and paste from the legal section from the reviewer (law degree).
"I am name suppressed but not silenced."
A summary of how I am name suppressed (as is a 'sensitive claims' case) and a very general outline of what was in the Judgement Report from the Court.
"What is ACC. What is a mental injury? PTSD."
Wrote this blog post as people (mainly from outside New Zealand) keep asking what ACC is. ACC is NOT a disability scheme. It is a compensation scheme for selected injuries, including PTSD. In my case, under 'sensitive claims' (as from criminal acts). Compensation for PTSD (a mental injury) is therapy and may include compensation if there is still permanent impairment after treatment.
"ACC compensation process - mental injury."
Outline of the process, including assessment for treatment for PTSD then assessment for compensation for mental injury.
"ACC impairment assessment - mental injury - PTSD."
Outline of the impairment assessment, the report, my complaint to Health and Disability Commissioner.
"The cost of PTSD - mental injury."
I requested from ACC the costs they have paid for the 3 psychiatrists (2 assessors, 1 peer reviewer) plus the 2 solicitors. It exceeded the minimum compensation lump sum payout they had estimated when I started this process two years ago.
"Review process to challenge ACC decision."
Outline of the independent review process to challenge ACC's decision made from a report from a psychiatrist chosen by ACC (bias there from the start). It involved two more psychiatrist's - another assessment plus a peer review.
"ACC corruption media articles"
Some of the many media articles about ACC corruption. Plus some articles about wins against ACC.
This is a copy and paste of the legal section from the District Court), for my hearing of competing impairment assessments, signed by the Judge (law degrees).
"Law for ACC lump sum compensation review."
This is a copy and paste from the legal section from the reviewer (law degree).
"I am name suppressed but not silenced."
A summary of how I am name suppressed (as is a 'sensitive claims' case) and a very general outline of what was in the Judgement Report from the Court.
"What is ACC. What is a mental injury? PTSD."
Wrote this blog post as people (mainly from outside New Zealand) keep asking what ACC is. ACC is NOT a disability scheme. It is a compensation scheme for selected injuries, including PTSD. In my case, under 'sensitive claims' (as from criminal acts). Compensation for PTSD (a mental injury) is therapy and may include compensation if there is still permanent impairment after treatment.
"ACC compensation process - mental injury."
Outline of the process, including assessment for treatment for PTSD then assessment for compensation for mental injury.
"ACC impairment assessment - mental injury - PTSD."
Outline of the impairment assessment, the report, my complaint to Health and Disability Commissioner.
"The cost of PTSD - mental injury."
I requested from ACC the costs they have paid for the 3 psychiatrists (2 assessors, 1 peer reviewer) plus the 2 solicitors. It exceeded the minimum compensation lump sum payout they had estimated when I started this process two years ago.
"Review process to challenge ACC decision."
Outline of the independent review process to challenge ACC's decision made from a report from a psychiatrist chosen by ACC (bias there from the start). It involved two more psychiatrist's - another assessment plus a peer review.
"ACC corruption media articles"
Some of the many media articles about ACC corruption. Plus some articles about wins against ACC.