As we continue our #DisabilityAwareness month, today we catch up with Ari Seirlis, CEO of the QuadPara Association of South Africa (QASA).
At the age of 23 after completing the Comrades Marathon, Ari was enjoying one of his pastimes – swimming while modelling for a TV commercial. Who knew that his life would soon change on this day after he broke his neck while diving which resulting in him becoming quadriplegic.
“Your talent determines what you can do. Your motivation determines how much you are willing to do. Your attitude determines how well you do it.” This quote by Lou Holtz best describes Ari. Not only was he a finalist in the Durban Businessman of the Year awards; he’s been Secretary of theSign Association, manager of the Hillcrest Villagers Rugby club 2nd team, he was a management member of the Phoenix Spinal Rehab Centre; he’s on the board of the South African Sexual Health Association and Chairman of Amasondo Rugby Suite, and sits on the board of the Health & Welfare SETA.
Before joining QASA, he owned Markplan Designs, which specialised in signage; and he founded a bank that financed mobility aids and other assistive devices. This was all part of the learning curve that provided him with the business sense which he applies to the running of QASA today.
Some of the projects within QASA includes:
1. Driving Ambitions – A centre of excellence, providing driver training and assessment, for people with disabilities who want to achieve their driving licence.
2. Rolling Positive- Funded by the Global Fund, this project will train peer educators to create awareness of HIV & AIDS in the disability community.
3. Workshops: Capacity Building- QASA delivers regular capacity building workshops to members in provinces on Leadership, Strategic Plan, Sustainability, Legislation and Governance.
4. Wheelchair Project – Providing wheelchairs, for people who need specialised seating and wheelchair requirements. Members apply, and are assessed and are awarded wheelchairs to suit their mobility need. For a list of other projects, click here
Ari is one of the most privileged people as he got to spend time with Christopher Reeve (Superman) while being in a wheelchair. He describes that although his father will always be his hero (passed away 3 years after his accident in 1989), quadriplegics needed a hero too – who else but superman! This made being quadriplegic “popular”.
There are a few things that Ari would still like to achieve in life which includes falling in love, visiting Cyprus again and going to San Francisco. With this positive attitude and determination, I am confident he will achieve all of this. Besides his goals in life, Ari enjoys Hand-cycling on long roads, a long stroll on the beachfront, and fly-fishing in the mountains.
About QASA
QASA is a co-ordinating, policy-making, governing and supporting organisation. The Association strives to prevent spinal cord injury, as well as protect and promote the interests of people with mobility impairments by formulating a national policy and strategy, to develop and ensure the full potential and quality of their lives.
To learn more about the work QASA does, click here
