PENNY and Lee Flowers, of Engadine, should be enjoying their retirement.
Instead, they are fighting to access medical equipment for their daughter Kym, 30.
Kym, who has cerebral palsy and associated hip dislocation, needs equipment such as supportive seat cushions and a walking frame to improve her mobility.
Kym studies computing at TAFE's Jannali campus and wants nothing more than to walk again.
The family says EnableNSW — NSW Health's largest disability support service — is looking at cheaper options and won't fund the equipment she needs.
Kym's family estimate that a walking frame would cost $3000, a manual wheelchair about $15,000 and gel cushions to prevent pressure sores several hundred dollars.
"I want to be able to socialise with my friends," Kym said. "It's just not fair."
Mrs Flowers, 60, and her husband Lee, 62, have their own health problems and are frustrated and angry.
"Everything you want you have to fight for," Mrs Flowers said.
"I'd like to tell the politicians to live in our shoes for a day."
Mrs Flowers said a young person should not be denied the the chance to participate fully in the community.
"It took months for an occupational therapist to come out and assess Kym . . . then they want to go and buy the cheapest equipment."
An EnableNSW spokeswoman said the service was working with Kym, her family and carers to process their request as quickly as possible. She said the organisation worked closely with therapists and prescribers to ensure suitable equipment was given to the right person to help them live as independently and safely as possible.
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