{
  "id": 2158684,
  "title": "Bryn is 16 and has never eaten a meal. His mother’s terrified the newly-cut NDIS won’t ‘step up to keep him alive’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/bryn-is-16-and-has-never-eaten-a-meal-his-mothers-terrified-the-newly",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-20T15:00:54.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Guardian Australia",
    "slug": "the-guardian-australia",
    "url": "https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/aug/21/bryn-is-16-and-has-never-eaten-a-meal-his-mothers-terrified-the-newly-cut-ndis-wont-step-up-to-keep-him-alive"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Sixteen-year-old Bryn Skyes has never consumed a meal in his life. Due to his disability and gastrointestinal issues, he has been requiring tube-feeding since infancy. While the costs of his food and feeding system have been previously covered by Queensland children's hospital, his mother Shelley McRae now faces the prospect of finding an additional $50,000 annually to keep her son alive. The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) changes, which have been criticized by disability advocates, could see funding categories for individuals reduced by up to 99%. These changes have left families like the McRaes uncertain and anxious about the future of their essential support.",
  "summary": "Sweeping changes, condemned by disability advocates, mean some scheme participants’ funding will be reduced by 99% Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Bryn Skyes is 16 years old. He loves playing in the water on hot Ipswich days, going through the car wash with his mum and zooming down slides with his siblings. He has also never eaten food. Bryn’s disability and…",
  "key_points": [
    "16-year-old Bryn Skyes has never eaten a meal.",
    "Mother Shelley McRae fears NDIS won't cover $50k annual cost.",
    "NDIS changes may reduce funding by up to 99%."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}