I cannot even begin to imagine what it would be like to live three fourths of my life confined to a wheelchair. Jim Jeffers knew. As a result of an automobile accident when he was just 15 years old, Jim went through life facing obstacles that those of us who are fortunate to have full use of our legs would find maddening, at best.
After the realization came that he would never walk again, Jim had a decision to make. Go through life feeling sorry for himself or get a college education and make a difference. For those of us fortunate enough to have known Jim, we are glad he chose the latter.
When Jim decided to attend college, he was confronted by discrimination because he used a wheelchair. He was refused admittance to some colleges because of his disability, but that didn’t stop him. He went on to earn bachelors and masters degrees, no small feat when federally mandated handicap access was still years away.
Jim decided to move to Cape Coral when he retired from a full life of government service, but he didn’t stay retired for long. He realized that he wanted to participate in the future of Cape Coral and applied to serve on various boards and commissions until he decided to run for City Council.
Jim ran a campaign that many would call “clean”. I would call it spotless. Although subjected to personal attacks by some people in the community, Jim never resorted to criticism or personal attacks against his opponent in the general election.
Following his election, Jim served with distinction until his untimely death. His demeanor was always calming and his reasoning logical. He will be missed.
My vision of Heaven is filled with rolling hills, covered with lush green grass and flowers in bloom as far as the eye can see. I picture Jim standing on the crest of one of those hills with a mischievous grin on his face. I see him running along the crest and then down the hill, picking up speed as he runs just to see how fast he can go. His grin broadens. He is free, for there are no wheelchairs in Heaven.
After the realization came that he would never walk again, Jim had a decision to make. Go through life feeling sorry for himself or get a college education and make a difference. For those of us fortunate enough to have known Jim, we are glad he chose the latter.
When Jim decided to attend college, he was confronted by discrimination because he used a wheelchair. He was refused admittance to some colleges because of his disability, but that didn’t stop him. He went on to earn bachelors and masters degrees, no small feat when federally mandated handicap access was still years away.
Jim decided to move to Cape Coral when he retired from a full life of government service, but he didn’t stay retired for long. He realized that he wanted to participate in the future of Cape Coral and applied to serve on various boards and commissions until he decided to run for City Council.
Jim ran a campaign that many would call “clean”. I would call it spotless. Although subjected to personal attacks by some people in the community, Jim never resorted to criticism or personal attacks against his opponent in the general election.
Following his election, Jim served with distinction until his untimely death. His demeanor was always calming and his reasoning logical. He will be missed.
My vision of Heaven is filled with rolling hills, covered with lush green grass and flowers in bloom as far as the eye can see. I picture Jim standing on the crest of one of those hills with a mischievous grin on his face. I see him running along the crest and then down the hill, picking up speed as he runs just to see how fast he can go. His grin broadens. He is free, for there are no wheelchairs in Heaven.
Run Jim…run.
