Bay Shore man who has inspired other amputees honored for work

Four years ago, Robert Rodriguez, a Bay Shore amputee, inspired a young girl to wear her prosthetic proudly. This week, the girl’s family helped return the favor.

On Tuesday, Rodriguez, 30, was given the National Disabilities Employment Awareness Month Champion award by The Corporate Source, a Garden City-based nonprofit that creates employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

Rodriguez, whose right leg was amputated below the knee when he was 10 months old, was nominated for the distinction by his employers at East Coast Orthotic & Prosthetic Corp., which is owned by brothers Larry and Vincent Benenati.

Rodriguez first met the Benenatis by chance. He was trick or treating with his daughter in 2013 when they ran into Vincent Benenati’s wife and daughter. Vincent Benenati’s daughter is also an amputee but had refused to wear a prosthetic until Rodriguez helped her see its advantages.

“She gravitated to him and he inspired my niece to start wearing a prosthetic,” Larry Benenati said. “He’s been that way with many of our patients.”

A few months ago, the Benenatis nominated Rodriguez for the NDEAM award, for which anyone currently working on Long Island with any type of disability can apply, according to The Corporate Source’s CEO, Michael Kramer.

Rodriguez was chosen out of a pool of 10 applicants. Kramer said he stood out to the panel of four judges for his enthusiasm and commitment to helping other amputees.

“We were looking for an individual who made not only a significant impact in their workplace, but also someone who conveys the contributions someone with a disability can bring to a business,” Kramer said. “Robert is really a shining example of that.”

Rodriguez wears many hats at the Deer Park-based prosthetics company. He’s involved in business development, marketing and patient advocacy, but also runs a support group for recent amputees and often drives patients to and from medical appointments, according to Larry Benenati.

“He’s a very caring person and he’s able to connect with our clients because he knows what they’re going through,” Benenati said. “I think he’s definitely deserving of this award.”

Rodriguez was honored at a ceremony Tuesday and given $3,000 by The Corporate Source and the Claire Friedlander Family Foundation in Huntington. He plans to donate some of the money to Camp No Limits, a nonprofit that stages therapeutic camps for children with limb loss, he said.

“It’s a huge honor,” Rodriguez said. “I was really touched and feel re-energized and ready to go out and do more to help.”