VCC Spring 2021

V irginia C apitol C onnections , S pring 2021 29 James Albert Rothrock October 14, 1948–March 10, 2021 Enough snow for sledding is rare in Martinsville, but on a cold January day in 1965 there was just enough for the very adventurous and energetic 16 year old Jim Rothrock to take advantage of it. There was a street with an ideal incline for sledding just a couple of blocks away from home. In time too brief to measure, at the bottom of the hill Jim’s sled collided with a car backing out of a driveway. In that instant, Jim’s life changed forever; his spinal cord was severed and he was paralyzed from the chest down. If there ever was an instance where a horrible tragedy resulted in an indescribable benefit to an unquantifiable number of people, it is this one. A long and challenging rehabilitation program that might have discouraged anyone without Jim’s indominable optimism and drive lay ahead. Throughout this ordeal, his super-mom, Ruth, who had recently been suddenly widowed and who was busy holding together the family’s funeral home business, was providing the perfect mix of comfort, confidence and push for Jim to complete rehabilitation, graduate from high school and go to college. Jim graduated from St. Andrew’s Presbyterian College and then returned to Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center, the place that had helped him, and he began helping others there. He enrolled in Virginia Commonwealth University’s master’s program in vocational rehabilitation, where he excelled. He returned to Woodrow Wilson as a graduate assistant in the autumn of 1977, and in addition to gaining practical experience and providing first-hand guidance to counselors, he met the externally and internally beautiful Jane. Within a year, Jim and Jane were married. Their marriage of more than 43 years could be the basis for an instruction book on how two strong, successful professionals can have an ideal and immensely fun life together. Jim became a practical, knowledgeable and inspirational advocate for vocational rehabilitation. His talents, abilities and personality led him to work with Governor Charles Robb in the development and enactment of the Virginians with Disabilities Act, one of the first and most comprehensive in the nation. This legislation became the template for the Americans with Disabilities Act, enacted five years later, and in recognition of his leadership, Jim was an invited special guest when President George H.W. Bush signed that bill into law on July 26, 1990. Just as Virginia’s George Mason gave our nation its Bill of Rights, Virginia’s Jim Rothrock gave Americans with disabilities their rights to opportunities for success. By so doing, he enhanced the lives of all Americans, whether they personally have a disability or not because society succeeds when everyone has an opportunity to be successful. After serving in several key positions inVirginia government during the Robb and Baliles administrations, Governor Lawrence Douglas Wilder appointed Jim to head the Department for Rehabilitative Services.After theWilder administration, he worked in the private sector until 2002, when he accepted Governor Mark R. Warner’s appointment to return as Commissioner of DRS, where he continued to serve under Governors Kaine, McDonnell (when the department merged to become the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services) and McAuliffe. Inaddition tohis career achievements in thepositionsof responsibility he held and the many ways he made significant contributions to the enhancement of all of our lives, Jim always exuded unrestrained enthusiasm and boundless optimism. Having known him as both a personal friend and a colleague for more than 40 years, I never saw him, even momentarily, evidence despair or anger. Those who are committed to achieving things for the betterment of our world could do no better than to emulate the example of the life of James Albert Rothrock. Jim Rothrock’s life epitomizes the quote often attributed to Mark Twain, “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you discover the reason why.” Jim discovered the reason why he was born, and Virginians and Americans for untold generations will benefit from his discovery. This tribute was written by Bernie Henderson, President Emeritus & Funeral Celebrant for Nelson Funeral Home &Woody Funeral Home. rothrock sorenseninstitute.org Apply to participate in one of our programs for current or aspiring political and community leaders or consider a donation or sponsorship Preparing leaders for ethical and effective governing SORENSEN INSTITUTE for POLITICAL LEADERSHIP “Sorensen’s powerful approach to building a cadre of skilled, open-minded, and ethical leaders is the best investment we can make in our future.” SUPPORT TRUST, CIVILITY, AND RESPECT Contact JC Ignaszewski ji5r@virginia.edu | 434.924.1310 sorenseninstitute.org Ray LaMura, Chair, Sorensen Advisory Board I n M emoriam V