HOUSE Otto, a self help centre for quadriplegics and paraplegics, recently relocated from Springs to Birchleigh.
The association provides permanent accommodation, 24-hour physical assistance and a way of life to ensure residents’ continued independence and contribution in mainstream society.
House Otto also provides to its residents the opportunity to further educate themselves through bursaries and capacity building workshops.
During the 1970s, a group of young quadriplegics applied for accommodation at various facilities provided for disabled people by different welfare organisations. They quickly became aware that because of the severity of their disability they were placed at the bottom of the waiting list and continually denied accommodation.
The only alternative housing available was in old age homes. These individuals themselves then formed a lobby group, the Quadriplegic Association (known as the QuadPara Association today), and managed to get their own welfare number to enable them to start providing services to the marginalised quadriplegic population.
An important historical decision was made when decision making power for and by persons with quadriplegia was entrenched in the constitution of the association. In 2006 they changed the constitution to also include paraplegia.
House Otto was established on September 25, 1984 and has the capacity to accommodate five persons with physical disabilities or quadriplegia/paraplegia on a permanent basis. Part of the residents’ terms of accommodation is to assume the responsibility for the administration, day to day running and outreach programmes of the centre, as well as fund raising.
In spite of difficult circumstances during the years, House Otto managed to generate sufficient funding with the generous co-operation of the Department of Social Development, the National Lotteries, corporate organisations and private donors. Today they are able to provide a decent foundation for persons with quadriplegia and paraplegia to live a meaningful and self-respecting life.
House Otto was originally situated in Rosettenville. However, crime levels increased rapidly in the area and in 2006 the decision was made to sell the house and find premises in a safer neighbourhood.
After selling the property and being temporarily accommodated in Springs for seven years, they finally secured a suitable house in Stinkhout Street where they took up accommodation on August 16.
The current director of the house is Barend Potgieter, a quadriplegic himself.
House Otto accommodates five people and employ seven on a permanent basis.
Potgieter said: “We would like to thank Paul Goncalves and Denton Sander from Counteract Holdings for the wonderful work they did on the renovations at our property to make it accessible for us. They sponsored the entire project, which included the building of our staff quarters, painting of the entire property inside and out, rewiring the main house, paving the driveway outside, etc.
“All costs were covered by them and we really would not have been able to do what has been done without their generosity.”
House Otto can be contacted on 011-972-0199.
