For more than two decades the QASA Bags of Hope project, in partnership with Coloplast, has empowered new spinal cord injured patients
Transitioning from hospital to home can be daunting for new wheelchair users. No longer are you surrounded by accessible spaces, knowledgeable hospital staff, or peers who understand the challenges you face. They may be left with more questions than answers.
Recognising this critical gap, the QuadPara Association of South Africa (QASA) introduced its Bags of Hope project. The goal was to help prepare individuals who were new to spinal cord injury for the road head; equipping them with the resources to help ease their transition. The initial idea was pitched to the organisation nearly two decades ago by a member.
“QASA was approached by a paraplegic, Ernie Brenner who came up with this idea,” Ari Seirlis, the current QASA treasurer and former CEO, recalls. “It hit the sweet spot and made absolute sense. Coloplast saw the opportunity and invested in this project on behalf of QASA. So, Bags of Hope was born.”
Coloplast manufactures medical devices related to ostomy and continence care such as catheters. Working with rehabilitation centres, the Coloplast team distributes the Bags of Hope to patients with spinal cord injuries while educating them on continence care.
Since its inception, the project has distributed roughly 3 000 bags to individuals with spinal cord injuries. Each bag contained essential reading material along with practical items to help navigate life with a mobility impairment. Wheelchair manufacturer, CE Mobility, also recently backed the project.
“This unique bag has got a small toolkit that covers all of the essentials you will need for wheelchair maintenance, sponsored by CE Mobility, and essential reading for a person with a spinal cord injury,” Ari shares.
QASA, in partnership with CE Mobility and Coloplast, is working to distribute the next 500 bags to new quadriplegics and paraplegics.
Beyond the tangible resources found inside the bags, the initiative offers something equally vital – hope. The message is clear. The journey might be challenging, but you are not alone. Through the distribution of the bags, QASA aims to reach new quadriplegics and paraplegics who may be in need of the organisation’s support.
“QASA provides all the necessary projects and services as well as advocacy and lobby for persons with spinal cord injuries. QASA has developed knowledge and advocacy experience to be able to provide suitable support for people with spinal cord injury along their journey,” Ari comments.
Membership to the organisation is free and provides access to all programmes and services. QASA can assist members with minor home adaptations; acquiring, replacing or repairing assistive devices; financial support to further education or participate in sports; learning to drive an adapted vehicle and so much more.
The QASA members also play a vital role in informing the organisation of the lived experience of people with spinal cord injuries.
As Ari notes: “It is important and in fact almost essential to be a member of QASA so that we can understand the life and lifestyles of people with spinal cord injuries and provide bespoke and necessary projects and services to support this constituency.”
“QASA members can keep us informed about challenges on the ground and provide the critical mass we need when we do advocacy and lobby for the rights of persons with disabilities, especially those with mobility impairments,” he adds.
By staying engaged, offering insights, and amplifying the voices of people with spinal cord injuries, QASA members strengthen the organisation’s ability to champion inclusion and accessibility.
In a recent visit to the Western Cape Rehabilitation Centre, the QuadPara Association of the Western Cape (QAWC), a regional association of QASA, spoke with patients about the organisation, demonstrated the workings of an adapted vehicle, and handed out these essential bags.
“QASA offers benefits for some of the things I want to do, like sport,” says one of the recipients and new QASA member Lincoln Cloete about his decision to join the organisation. “You never know what assistance you might need.”
Lincoln was injured in late 2024 and admitted for rehabilitation at the Western Cape. In his 30s, Lincoln was hopeful of what his future might be regardless of his impairment.
Shakeer Williams echoed Lincoln’s sentiment about joining the organisation while his youth made him particularly excited for what life might hold for him.
Elias Kgasapane, a third recipient, has been a wheelchair user for a while before being readmitted to the centre. While he too believed the organisation could offer support, he was more inspired by what he might be able to give back to his community.
“I would like to help someone with an injury like me. I’d like to tell them: ‘Don’t give up!’,” Elias shares.
While the journey ahead for the men as they re-enter society is sure to be challenging, they have the support of QASA thanks to the Bags of Hope project made possible by Coloplast.
It remains a powerful tool to sharing information, empowering people with spinal cord injuries and growing a supportive community for new wheelchair users.
Each bag is a simple gesture of which the impact spreads far beyond its physical content. It is a message of hope. And for those entering the unfamiliar, hope can make all the difference.
Become a QASA member
Accessing all the QASA programmes and services requires a quick and free registration! You can complete the QASA membership form digitally, or download the form from the QASA website, complete and return it to QASA at info@qasa.co.za.
