Jason Santry has taken the "dis" out of disability with his motto "Rock your abilities," which he lives by every day. Jason Santry is a man who was born with cerebral palsy. His incredible determination and drive led him to lead a life that's anything but ordinary. Jason is the proud owner of Ability Property Maintenance. When I asked Jason about the inspiration behind the name, he explained that he wanted to emphasize the "ability" in disability. Despite his physical challenges, he was determined to pursue his work.
When he first started the business in 2010, it was just him and one employee. Since then, Jason has expanded his company and now employs 12 people. I inquired whether he intentionally hires individuals with disabilities, and he confirmed that he aims for a 50/50 ratio. He goes out of his way to accommodate and support his employees with disabilities, enabling them to succeed in their roles.
Jason also shared that he faced discrimination when starting his business. People doubted his capabilities due to his disability, and he had to consistently prove himself and his competence despite the challenges he faced.
While his business initially focused on lawn maintenance, Jason has expanded his skills and can now undertake projects like building a house from the ground up. Although he may not have the physical capacity to do it all himself, he never turns down any work and always finds a way to get the job done. When asked if he utilized any grants when starting his business, he mentioned that he hadn't, but he is currently exploring potential opportunities to support the growth of his business.
My final question to Jason was this - What can disabled people teach those without disabilities? His answer - “Perseverance, patience, determination and to be strong. To battle through when times are tough. Stay the course, you will get it done.”
Learn more about Ability Property Maintenance: https://www.abilityniagara.
For those interested in starting their own business, here are some useful links: https://ontariobusinessgrants.
Written by Charlene Shirk