“The day you stop dreaming, is the day you stop living,” says motivational speaker, Don Wessels, who at the age of 19 lost the use of his eyes and hands in an explosion in Angola whilst doing his two-year National Service in the Defence Force.

Despite this tragedy which brought huge challenges, Wessels, who is 43, has achieved incredible successes. He decided to focus on what he could still do and set certain goals for himself. Today he holds an honours and MA degrees, has been married for 11 years to Maatje and together they have three sons. Wessels has climbed to the top of Kilimanjaro as a blind person and has practised his hobby of fishing and boating in five countries. He works in the property industry and is an enthusiastic and humorous motivational speaker. “I realise that we’re not put on earth to live just for ourselves. Life is about more than just ‘me’. We’re here to reach out and touch other’s lives by doing so,” he says.

There’s a jam-packed programme of activities, demonstrations, conferences and exhibits awaiting visitors to the Airports Company South Africa Disability Lifestyle Trade Expo and Conference.

The expo offers numerous informational, educational, and interactive events, the ever-popular trade show plus a two-day conference on 6 and 7 September. The theme is 'Solutions for Delivery to People with Disabilities' and will cover topics such as entrepreneurship, employment equity, transport, education, training and skills development.

Other attractions include baking demonstrations by the SA Chefs Association; arts and crafts demonstrations and numerous sports demonstrations such as sound ball tennis, wheelchair tennis and curling.

For all of the latest updates on special events, the conference programme and exhibitors visit www.mcnaughtonevents.co.za

Businesswoman, role model and TV personality, Masingita Masunga, who lives with cerebral palsy will also be speaking. She will tell her story on Friday, 7 September at 12:00 in the expo hall.

When she failed grade 12 for the second time because of her handwriting, Masunga challenged the education system to accommodate her needs. From that experience she became a disability activist, daring to push the envelope and change attitudes towards the term ‘disabled’. She has been able to beat the odds and make a difference in her life, her family, and ultimately across the country. Masingita uses her TV show Masingita with Confidence on Soweto TV, as a platform to spread her message to “make things happen for you”.

This years ACSA Disability Trade and Lifestyle Expo takes place between 6 and 8 September at the Sandton Convention Centre. For more information on exhibiting at or visiting the show, contact Bette McNaughton at 011 784 4279 or bettemc@fairconsultants.com.