Andrew Lawrence is a paraplegic with a passion for making a difference in the lives of the disabled. Andrew is a fully independent person that lives a life that serves as an exemplary example to other members of the disabled community as to how good life can be. Andrew works for the Development Bank South Africa in an IT SAP Business Analyst role and believes that a good means of earning of living backed by appropriate education and development is the key to independence. As an Innovation & Entrepreneurial Champion for the Bank, Andrew has started the Tshedza project with the strategic intent to develop disabled candidates into meaningful positions that can support an independent and self fulfilling lifestyle.

Andrew says: "My favourite outdoor hobby is to ride my 700cc Utility quad on 3 day away weekend trips. Yes, an extremely dangerous extreme sport to boot. Why you may ask? Well, it is an amazing experience. The excitement, fear, adrenalin and amount of concentration required magically transports one out of your disability into a special place where you know longer feel disabled, something very little else can possibly do. Annually at the end of September we ride 900kms off road from Durban to Joburg to raise funds for the Quadriplegic Association of South Africa."

A few personal thoughts on innovation and creativity

As an Innovation & Entrepreneurial Champion I believe that innovation and creativity are powerful tools in the space that I am involved in. In trying to make a difference to the lives of the disabled, we need to think differently.

We need to change the way in which the disabled employee is positioned within the minds of business and the wider community we live in.

This means that we need to alter the perceptions and patterns that exist within the South African society and thereby alter the footprint of the disabled.

The innovation and creativity space with its network is the key enabler and catalyst that will make this possible, the right tools for the right reason, in the right place at the right time.