Hector Picard's life changed in 1992 when 13,000 volts of electricity during a work-related accident cost him his arms.
His spirit has remained strong, however. The Fort Lauderdale man has competed in more than 100 triathlons and completed an Ironman competition. Picard recently rode his bicycle to schools across South Florida to share his experiences with students. Among the stops on his tour, run in conjunction with the Anti-Defamation League's No Place for Hate campaign, was Mirror Lake Elementary School in Plantation.
"My story benefits a lot of people in overcoming difficulties," Picard said. " I just wanted to encourage people with disabilities. I just wanted to show that here is a guy considered as weak and as a target and accomplishing all these different things. It has to do with ability over disability."
During the presentation, Picard welcomed four students to the stage and put socks on their hands. He then told them to put on a shirt, a hat and sunglasses without using their fingers. The exercise was an eye-opener for Addison Roberts. "It made me realize how amazing he is to be a successful athlete and do all the things he has done without arms," he said. The fifth-grader said he related to Picard's positive outlook as he's had to deal with the death of his mother a few years ago.
School counselor Gigi McIntire said this was inspirational. "When they first walked in, I think the kids were a little taken aback. They had not seen something like this before," she said. "By the time he was done, they were going up to him and asking him questions. They became very, very comfortable because of the way he presented."
Picard said he enjoyed speaking to the youngsters. "They are so impressionable," he said. "And here's a guy with disabilities that you wouldn't expect to be doing the things that I'm doing. After I'm done, it's always a long applause. It's amazing."
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