SEPTEMBER 2008 3 15 21  32 

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Who is
caring for
our carers?
By Lauren Farrow
Next month’s Carers Week will come as a bitter pill
for Concord’s Mena Calabria, who says the event
serves as a stark reminder of the family’s strained
finances and limited choices.
For almost 45 years, Mrs Calabria has been the
main carer of her intellectually disabled daughter,
Renata. Every day, she clothes her, bathes her and
feeds her.
Although caring is Mrs Calabria’s full time job,
she does not receive the fortnightly carers payment
of $562.10, because it is means tested.
“I feel lost. My life is restricted to caring,” Mrs
Calabria said.
“I’m restricted because I am not able to afford to
go out and about,” she said.
“We cannot even pick where our most important Dominic, Renata and Mena Calabria. Mena cares full time for her intellectually disabled daughter Renata
Continued on page 6 however she is not eligible to receive any government assistance. Photo by Lauren Farrow.

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