On Thursday, April 3 at 2 p.m. Massapequa resident John Carpenter will speak at the Massapequa Bar Harbor Library. Carpenter will show his acclaimed documentary, "Smelling Like A Rose," while also giving a talk and having a question and answer period from local residents.

The April 3 presentation continues Carpenter's tour of Long Island as a leading motivational speaker in which he tells the story of how he recovered from a severe auto accident, one that left him with life-long disabilities.

Since making "Smelling Like A Rose," Carpenter has spoken at rehabilitation facilities, hospitals, in front of support groups and in public libraries all throughout Long Island.

Jody Brower, the library's chief programmer has long been impressed by the documentary. She notes that anyone who needs inspiration or who are disabled and is looking to find motivation to continue on, then Carpenter's film is the perfect vehicle.

In his talk, Carpenter tells of his fears of being bound by a wheelchair, while facing up to the realization that he could never go back to his former life as an Off-Broadway actor or to his old dream of achieving stardom as an independent filmmaker.

However, making "Smelling Like A Rose" has been part of Carpenter's own rehabilitation and its purpose is to inspire hope in others.

In a recent performance at The Head Injury Association of Long Island in Commack, a young head injury patient was so moved by the film that he stood from his wheelchair, pointed his finger at Carpenter and proclaimed, "You don't only make movies, John, you make us all have hope!" At the last presentation of his program at the Massapequa Library, Richard Ornstein appeared and surprised him by giving him an honorary membership to the Police Veteran Association for his work with the disabled.

The Massapequa Bar Harbor library is located at 40 Harbor Lane.