Ex-paralympian shares message at Empowering disABILITIES event

Oct. 20--DIXON -- Lloyd Bachrach stood on a stage at Sauk Valley Community College on Saturday and said in order to succeed, you must be able to overcome challenges.

His was the final presentation during the second annual Empowering disABILITIES Resource Expo. Bachrach, 52, a former paralympian and current motivational speaker, was born with a congenital bone deficiency which left his legs unusually short.

He uses artificial legs to make himself 5-foot-8, but can walk without their assistance. Without the legs, he's closer to 4 feet tall.

"I want to get it straight, from the beginning, that this program is not about what you have," he said. "And it's not about what you don't have. But it's how you use what you have."

Bachrach talked about the focus and commitment that led him to finishing fifth at the IHSA state gymnastics meet as a high school senior in 1980 and competing for the United States in sitting volleyball during the 1996 Paralympic Games in Atlanta.

The expo was put on by the Illinois Department of Human Service's Division of Rehabilitation Services, which is based in Sterling.

Jessica Arnold, rehabilitation counselor with the department, said the goal is to bring resources and services for people with disabled and their families to one central location.

The first expo had about 30 exhibitors and attracted about 200 people.

In its second year, the expo added 10 exhibitors and had to turn away some last-minute requests, and Arnold said it likely exceeded the 200 attendees, although she didn't have a final tally.

There are plans for a third expo next year.

"We're always looking for ideas of what is going to help the public in our area," Arnold said. "What are they looking for when they look for disability resources?"

That's one of the reasons Alyson Beytien, an autism consultant, was included on this year's schedule. Arnold said there are many in the Sauk Valley looking for resources about autism.

And so, while there are no specific plans for next year's expo, Arnold will try to get a sense of what resources the area is seeking out and incorporate them.

But as much as the expo is aimed at providing resources and services, Arnold said it's also important to highlight what people with disabilities are capable of achieving. And that's why Bachrach was there Saturday.

Bachrach doesn't like the term disabled. He doesn't think it's accurate. Differently abled is more accurate, he said, because everyone has different abilities.

"I know that we have the ability to be anyone we choose to be, as long as we want it badly enough," he said. "So today's program, I call it 'Yes You Can' or 'Overcoming Adversity to Succeed.' Because I believe you can achieve anything. You can do anything in life if you put your mind to it. The only thing that limits you is you."

To learn more

For more information about the expo or resources and services for people with disabilities, contact Jessica Arnold at Jessica.Arnold@illinois.gov or 815-625-8885.

Visit lloydbachrach.com for more information on Lloyd Bachrach's story and motivational speaking.

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