Florida school volunteer says his wheelchair helps him better interact with kids

From The Palm Beach Post in Florida:

When Fred Rosene got into a toboggan accident at age 19 and was left a paraplegic, he thought his life was over. Now, 60 years later, he realizes that the accident gave him a new passion for life and helping others.

The 79-year-old Boynton Beach retiree has been volunteering in Palm Beach County schools, working with children, for the past 20 years.

He recently was recognized for his volunteer work when he was named one of six Community Champions by Molina Healthcare of Florida. As a winner, Rosene received a $1,000 grant to donate to a nonprofit of his choice. He chose to give the money to needy families in Haiti through a program his church runs.

He said that he has a knack for working with kids, and credits his accident for helping with that.

"One of the great things about being in a wheelchair is that I'm at the kids' level," he said. "And they get to push me in the wheelchair, so they're helping me while I'm helping them."

Rosene grew up in Newton, Mass., and received his bachelor's and master's degrees in math from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He immediately landed a job out of college at Sylvania Electronics and worked his way up to the title of senior scientist. He worked there for 34 years, until he retired.

Outside of work, he coached basketball teams at his church and got involved with a drop-in center for kids.

In Palm Beach County, Rosene spent 11 years volunteering at Plumosa Elementary School in Delray Beach, and now volunteers at Crosspointe Elementary School in Boynton Beach. He tutors kids in math and science, corrects papers, and develops educational games and projects that can be used in the classroom.

Although he was never married and doesn't have any kids, he considers the students to be like his children.

"Seeing the kids go on to achieve great things, that makes it all worthwhile," he said.