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an automatic transmission. Every weekday Mr. Picard drops his daughter off at school and then heads over to the gym where he spends one to two hours working out with weights, playing basketball or racquetball and practices his favorite sport, baseball.

In order to play his sports Hector invented a terminal device which attaches to his arm, but since the accident he has taken up skiing in Montreal and snorkeling in Hawaii and Key West. Mr. Picard coached his daughter’s softball team for five years, and in 2006 the “Bandits” won Coconut Creek’s Major Division Girl’s Softball League.

In the summer of 2007 the Picard family went to Europe. Hector says that the folks in England wouldn’t let him drive, so they took taxis to get around. From England they traveled to France and Spain, here, Hector drove a car thru the country.

He has also navigated the mountains of the Blue Ridge Parkway; explored the Pacific Coast Highway and daringly drove over a 56 bridge span with one car width road in Maui, Hawaii.

People often come up to him and express to him what an inspiration he is. Mr. Picard is interested in becoming involved in motivational speaking because he would like to share his story and provide courage and strength to others in similar situations.

It’s good to see that bravery and perseverance can overcome obstacles . If feeling down-hearted or discouraged, one only has to think of what this extraordinary man has accomplished. Hector Picard is an outstanding example of courage and zest for life. He proves that if you really want to live life, nothing can keep you down.