John Rogers is a tireless advocate for the rights of people with disabilities. On August 22, 1972, John was deep in the woods near his home in Antigonish, clearing right of way for Nova Scotia Power when he fell sixty feet from a tree and instantly became a paraplegic. Having grown up on a beef farm before becoming a star athlete and member of a popular rock band, the twenty-two year old refused to let this life altering event break his spirit.
He graduated from St. Francis Xavier University with a BA in Psychology/Sociology in 1978 and began his career as a rehabilitation counselor at the Canadian Paraplegic Association in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He later led the organization as Executive Director and worked to develop numerous government policies such as seat belt and motorcycle helmet legislation, designated parking, provincial and national building codes, the safe diving campaign, "Feet first, first time"and access to education, employment, housing, transportation, recreation, health services and all levels of service that enable people to live active and independent lifestyles.
Throughout his working career, John also pursued his love of sports, recreation and music. He was a member of the Nova Scotia Flying Wheels basketball team and coached his son's little league baseball team to a city championship. In 1990, due to illness, John was forced to retire and after a period of rearranging priorities, is taking a more relaxed approach to life. He continues to push for change on his own dime, such as spearheading a recent amendment to laws governing access to satellite liquor/postal outlets, and believes that it is everyone's right and responsibility to do their part. These days priorities also include national level curling, kayaking and swimming with his wife and dog at their home on Lake Lewis, as well as rehearsing with his new Beatles Band, Penny Lane.