The QuadPara Association of South Africa (QASA) has appointed its new general manager, Ashley Scott. Qualified as an occupational therapist (OT) with years of experience in the non-profit sector, Ashley is passionate about serving the community and reaching every corner of the country.
The new QASA General Manager, Ashley Scott (back) with the QASA Exec (front, from the right), Anton Engelbrecht, Ari Seirlis and Anthony Ghillino.“As the QASA team will fondly attest, I speak about centimetre to centimetre services,” she shares. “If there is a quadriplegic or paraplegic in South Africa, we need to scour every centimetre of the country to find and serve them.”
Finding the individuals in need is only half the vision. She also wants to ensure that the services are accessible regardless of the QASA member’s “location, socioeconomic background or culture”.
“My other goals are to increase our advocacy services to ensure that the voices of persons with disabilities continue to be heard and prioritised; and extend our services based on issues that our members are facing,” Ashley comments.
While she might not have first-hand experience, her work in rehabilitation has made her intimately familiar with the challenges that people with disabilities face.
“Although not a person with a disability myself, I have walked alongside my patients as they adjusted to their new lives. Through this lens, I have witnessed the struggles of access to healthcare, community and advocacy,” Ashley notes.
In fact, it was witnessing one particular patient’s journey that eventually led her to apply for the position. She recalls: “While completing my community service as an OT in rural Mpumalanga, I treated a gentleman in his early 20s who had been shot in the neck while running away after stealing bread from the local spaza shop to feed himself, his wife and two children.”
“With limited resources, the social effects of disability were dire, and he passed away from pressure sore complications a month after his discharge. His story stayed with me for years, and guided my transition into non-profit management.”
“When I saw that QASA was looking for a new GM, I remembered this patient and knew that this was my chance to make sure that never happens to a person with a disability again,” Ashley shares.
She concludes by assuring QASA members that she is passionate about the strengths and skills that people with disabilities have to offer, and will strive to have that recognised and celebrated.
“I will never speak for persons with disabilities, but instead be a tool through which your goals are achieved. But, I cannot do it alone. I need every single QASA member to raise their hands and be active in their communities. We want to meet you and get to know your strengths and have every voice be part of the change.”
Congratulations and good luck to Ashley in her new position. For more information on the work that the organisation does, visit the QASA website at www.qasa.co.za or contact them at info@qasa.co.za.
