Businessman, Author, and Advocate for the Disabled Joseph “JB” Bensmihen to Speak at Shorecrest October 10
Source/Author: Rachel Barrett, Director of Marketing and Communications
October 12, 2017
Businessman, author, and advocate for the disabled Joseph “JB” Bensmihen will visit Shorecrest Preparatory School Tuesday, October 10, for a special presentation to both the Middle and Upper Schools. JB will share key takeaways from his new book “Taking Your Place at the Table.” The Upper School presentation is at 10am in the Janet Root Theatre. A book signing will immediately follow in the theatre lobby, with the Middle School presentation scheduled to begin at 11:25am. Parents are welcome to attend.
Born with cerebral palsy, JB characterizes his childhood appearance as “a young Forrest Gump, but with two canes.” Unhappy with being denied a place in a regular elementary school in his home country of Canada, six-year-old JB walked into Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau’s office, asked for an immediate meeting with him, and got it. He became the first disabled Canadian student to be mainstreamed in a public school.
As an adult, JB has been a highly successful business owner, an advisor to many members of Congress, the former President of the Private Care Association, the director of the David Bensmihen Charitable Foundation, a member of the Board of Overseers for the men’s undergraduate college at Yeshiva University, and a strong advocate for the disabled.
In 2016, JB walked (with two canes) in the Miami Marathon; served as the master of ceremonies for the marathon’s kickoff event the evening before; and ran as a centrist Republican for a seat in the Florida House of Representatives in St. Petersburg. Currently, JB serves as President and CEO of St. Pete Care at Home and lives in St. Petersburg, Florida. “Taking Your Place at the Table: The Art of Refusing to Be an Outsider,” is his first book.
According to Shorecrest Headmaster Mike Murphy, “At Shorecrest, our tagline is ‘Be More.’ While there are many interpretations of the phrase, JB embodies what we want for our students - determination and commitment to a cause, resilience in the face of adversity, and the drive to make the world a better, more inclusive place. We are honored to have JB join us for this special presentation.”
Born with cerebral palsy, JB characterizes his childhood appearance as “a young Forrest Gump, but with two canes.” Unhappy with being denied a place in a regular elementary school in his home country of Canada, six-year-old JB walked into Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau’s office, asked for an immediate meeting with him, and got it. He became the first disabled Canadian student to be mainstreamed in a public school.
As an adult, JB has been a highly successful business owner, an advisor to many members of Congress, the former President of the Private Care Association, the director of the David Bensmihen Charitable Foundation, a member of the Board of Overseers for the men’s undergraduate college at Yeshiva University, and a strong advocate for the disabled.
In 2016, JB walked (with two canes) in the Miami Marathon; served as the master of ceremonies for the marathon’s kickoff event the evening before; and ran as a centrist Republican for a seat in the Florida House of Representatives in St. Petersburg. Currently, JB serves as President and CEO of St. Pete Care at Home and lives in St. Petersburg, Florida. “Taking Your Place at the Table: The Art of Refusing to Be an Outsider,” is his first book.
According to Shorecrest Headmaster Mike Murphy, “At Shorecrest, our tagline is ‘Be More.’ While there are many interpretations of the phrase, JB embodies what we want for our students - determination and commitment to a cause, resilience in the face of adversity, and the drive to make the world a better, more inclusive place. We are honored to have JB join us for this special presentation.”
“Taking Your Place at the Table: The Art of Refusing to Be an Outsider” is available to Shorecrest students and families at a special rate. To pre-order a book prior to the October 10 event, please visit https://squareup.com/store/SPSJBBook.
Books will also be available for purchase at the event. JB will be available to sign books and talk with families immediately following the event in the Janet Root Theatre Lobby.
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