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The voice on wheels.
He was born with a spinal defect. Dr’s gave him a 98% chance of dying at birth but a 2% chance and the will to live is all that he needed.
Doug was forced by the previous government to be educated at a special needs school. One such school was Hope School, there he was exposed to sports for the disabled and represented Southern Transvaal (Now Central Gauteng) in provincial sports from 1989 – 1997. Doug excelled in leadership being chosen as Head Boy and Hostel Head Boy at Hope School, winning the Rotary Round Table Award for Best Leadership in Schools in 1996.
He has 39 Gold Medals, 16 Silver and 5 Bronze Medals which were won at the National Championships 1989 – 1997. In 1995 Doug won Bronze for 800m wheelchair racing at the All African Invitation Games. In 1996 he was chosen to represent SA at the World Wheelchair Games, where he won bronze for 100m breast stroke. Doug won Sportsman of the year 1996, Victor Ludorum of the National Championships 1996, Best Wheelchair athlete 1997 then retired from competitive sports in 1997 after the National Championships.
He studied Biological Sciences at Wits University 1997 and Homeopathy at University of JHB 1998 – 2000 and Reflexology, Meridian Therapy and Foot Manipulation at the International School of Reflexology in 1999.
After trying numerous times to gain entry into the workplace he realized that discrimination, because of his disability was a big reality in his life, and so started what became a family business in 2000.
In 2004 Doug did a radio and presenting course at On Cue Communications. Shortly after completing the course he was offered a disability talk show on a Community Radio Station Radio Today, and so paid his dues on community radio from 2004 – end 2006. During this time he also presented a disability TV talk show on a pay channel iTV
In 2006 Doug was the brainchild for a disability fundraising initiative called Differently Abled 24/7/365. A fundraising telethon was held at Monte Casino in November 2006. 150 local celebrities and 2 international artists supported the initiative. 9 Million Viewers and 19 million listeners were exposed to the initiative.
In the beginning of 2007 Doug joined national radio station, Radio 2000 and has been with the station since. Doug believes strongly in Making A Difference and hence his show is called: ” The M.A.D. (Making a Difference) Show with Doug Anderson”
During the 2008 Paralympics Doug was asked to be a disability sports presenter on SABC 2
In the past year he won three awards for his dedication to people with disabilities and contribution to the disability sector as a whole in South Africa - The Hamlet Presidents Award 2009 - "A most prestigious award for outstanding achievement in the development and upliftment of the quality of life of persons with intellectual disabilities”, The Independent Living Centre National Community Role Model for his ongoing promotion of disability in South Africa, as well as the Inseta Disability Champion Award for promoting the rights of people with disabilities and showcasing disability in South Africa through his daily radio show.
Faced with many struggles in his life Doug Anderson is a perfect example of what one can do with your abilities despite having disabilities.
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