Australian Olympian Dominique du Toit and her mother Christy have issued a heartbreaking plea to the Australian government for help to care for the rugby star’s grandmother, who has been diagnosed with dementia.
Du Toit was born in Zimbabwe, and at the age of four, she and her family emigrated to Australia.
The 28-year-old cross-code star would go on to represent Australia’s Women’s 7s side on 96 occasions on the World SVNS Series. She was also included in the Women’s 7s squads for the 2016, 2020 and 2024 Olympic Games.
Her grandmother, Dawn, later followed them to Australia, moving Down Under 13 years ago on a sponsored aged parent visa, following the passing of her husband.
But speaking during an emotional interview with Channel 9’s A Current Affair, the family revealed that Dawn has been diagnosed with dementia and now requires full-time care.
That has left them in a horrible situation, with the family struggling to afford the staggering fees for Dawn’s care because she is unable to obtain a Medicare card despite having previously applied for permanent residency after she arrived in Australia.
Australian Olympian Dominique du Toit and her mother Christy have issued a heartbreaking plea to the Australian government for help to care for the rugby star’s grandmother
Dominique (right) revealed that her grandmother Dawn (centre) had been diagnosed with dementia and required full-time care (pictured left: Dominique’s mother, Christie)
‘Granny’s dementia has deteriorated a fair bit,’ Du Toit said to Nine’s A Current Affair.
‘She Ended up in hospital after having a fall, breaking her hip and both elbows. [She was] in hospital for quite a few months. That was when they were like: “She can’t stay at home she needs professional full-time care”.’
Dawn’s family found a care home for her on the Sunshine Coast.
Her mum, Christy, added: ‘Mum has had a tough life. She came out of an orphanage at 16 and she’s given us, her kids a great upbringing and great opportunities. She has never asked us for anything.’
However, she then revealed that administrators working in the health care system had phoned her to ask if she knew how much her mother’s care would cost.
They explained the fees, per day, were a staggering $1,250.
Christy explained she had been told that she thought it was $78-per-day, but the administrators informed her that this price was only for people who had a Medicare card.
Christy, Dawn and Dominique were all moved to tears during the interview as they spoke about the horrible situation.
Du Toit has represented Australia on the World SVNS Series and has also represented the country at three Olympic Games
Christy said: ‘Mum has been here 13 years. She’s not going anywhere, she has got nowhere to go.
‘No one has been able to help us get mum settled somewhere. There’s just no answer,’ Christy said.
She added that she had been up all night worrying about the situation.
‘This is my last option. I have no other road. So at this stage, we have not paid the bill but the bill is mounting up. I’m not sure where that money is going to be found to pay that bill.
She added that she has reached out to Aged Care Australia, the government and Medicare but has still received no help on the matter.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted The Department of Home Affairs and The Department of Health and Aged Care for comment.
In a statement to A Current Affair, The Department of Home Affairs said: ‘Due to privacy reasons, the Department cannot comment on individual cases.
‘All non-citizens applying for a visa to enter or remain in Australia are considered on an individual basis, in accordance with migration legislation.’
Du Toit explained she was grateful to Australia for providing her with opportunities but said she hoped that her grandmother could also be afforded those too
Du Toit (second from left) was originally born in Zimbabwe, but her family moved to Australia when she was young
Du Toit, who recently has switched to play rugby league for the Cronulla Sharks, added that she was grateful to Australia for the opportunities that the country had given her but hoped that could be the same for her grandmother.
‘I’m very proud to call myself an Australian,’ She said. ‘It is the greatest honour I’ve ever received pulling on the Australian jersey and representing my country in Rugby 7s.
‘I just really want those opportunities and that safety to be afforded to my granny.’
The family are now looking for a suitable home where Dawn can receive the care she needs without a Medicare card until she receives permanent residency.
