From squalor to stability: health turnaround after a neurological illness

One year after a Daily Mail feature exposed John Grotta's decline, the 38-year-old has rebuilt a life disrupted by a degenerative neurological condition that left him largely unable to walk, unable to clean, and confined to a squalid Ryde flat. The former Sydney Metro engineer, who helped build the city's rail network, was living amid a growing pile of rubbish, with pregnant cats in the bathroom and a home that had spiraled beyond his control.

Diagnosed with Major Neurological Disorder and suspected Functional Neurological Disorder, Grotta's conditions are not on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) eligibility list. He repeatedly applied for NDIS support but was rejected as ineligible, a setback that left him fearing for safety and independence. "I was a high-risk fall person," he said when describing his situation last year, noting he could not venture out or work because of mobility and safety concerns.

Public attention to his plight and a viral clip of a neighbour tidying his garden helped spark renewed interest in his case. Gardener Nathan Stafford offered to mow the lawn for free after learning of his situation on social media. The Daily Mail followed up and contacted the NDIS minister, Bill Shorten, prompting bureaucratic momentum that had stalled for months. Grotta was approved a week before Shorten's resignation as NDIS minister, and soon moved to a bright, new unit in West Ryde, about a kilometer away.

Inside the new home, Grotta's life has shifted from dependence to structured support. A team of support workers assists with daily needs, including cooked meals that reduce packaging waste and food safety risks. Grotta no longer relies on Uber Eats or fast food; meals are cooked and can be frozen for later use. Daily physiotherapy and occupational therapy sessions have helped him regain mobility, and a harness system is helping him walk without his crutches. He now attends physiotherapy and psychology sessions, swims, walks, and visits his grandmother. "Everything changed when I got here," he told the Daily Mail. "Before, I was living in a pit. They wanted to put me in a mobile chair, or a scooter, and I couldn't let that happen. Now I have a team of helpers and I love being at home."

Before the illness, Grotta was a physically active man who relished Taekwondo and rugby league in his youth, later studying psychology and civil engineering at TAFE and earning a role on the early Sydney Metro project. He described himself as a 'proper tradesman,' leading a team of about 30 workers and often working 14- to 15-hour days. The disease began five years ago, with non-epileptic seizures and repeated falls, followed by a sense of paralysis. He later lost his mother at a young age and his father died in 2023, creating a cascade of personal losses that complicated his decline.

Now, with his life reoriented around therapy, safety, and support, Grotta is hopeful about the future. He uses a tablet with AI-assisted tools to manage tasks and says he may pursue advocacy work for the disabled or for the NDIS. "I'm a positive person," he said. "But now I'm back to being myself. I'm presentable again." His carer, Debbie, described him as one of her favorite clients, praising his humor, enthusiasm, politeness, and warmth, and noting that his confidence has grown as he regains independence. On his 38th birthday, a surprise brunch with an old friend signaled a return to a more social life.

Grotta emphasizes a message of resilience for others facing setbacks: "If there is one message, you have to stay hungry, you have to stay strong. It's very easy to feel hopeless, I lost family, my job, money, sanity and dignity. But have hope. If you want to, you can achieve things. There are a lot of things in this country that can assist you, it's a matter of ultimately being hopeful."