A snow-sledding accident left James A. âJimâ Rothrock paralyzed when he was still a teen in Martinsville, but he went on to a long career in state government helping others with disabilities, not just through policy but with his relentless good cheer.
His work, though, was merely an extension of his life.
âJim was a constant fount of unrestrained enthusiasm and boundless optimism,â said his longtime friend Bernie Henderson. âEither he never realized he had some physical restrictions or he just didnât care. Anytime I was discouraged, angry, frustrated or depressed, I called to get a dose of Jim Rothrock, and that never failed.