The Joseph Groh Foundation is a wonderful organization that gives financial support to members of the construction field who have had life-altering injuries. Once a year, the Joseph Groh Foundation honors numerous recipients with a grant and this year the Joseph Groh Foundation was excited to announce Daniel Parker as a recipient.
Daniel has worked in the construction business for 45 years and spent the last 28 years as a finish carpenter managing crews in Tigard, Oregon. As a hiking aficionado, Daniel adored hiking in the Oregon wilderness, and in the summer of 2016, while hiking back down “The Tooth,” a 5604 foot peak in the Snoqualmie Pass area near Seattle, the ground at the trail’s edge gave out and he fell 70 feet down a boulder field.
The fall was catastrophic, leading to a spinal cord injury, a concussion, hemorrhagic brain lacerations, and a fractured left arm. Upon ending rehab, Daniel was able to move his arms, but could no longer use his fingers. While insurance gave him with a power wheelchair, Daniel wanted to keep his upper body strength and cardiac health and desired an ultralight, collapsible manual wheelchair.
Because Daniel needs 24/7 in-home care and had to invest in a home equipped with a patient lift and wheelchair entry, he was unable to afford the wheelchair he desired. Until he discovered the Joseph Groh Foundation! Below is the card his daughter, Linden, sent in to the organization:
“Thank you so much, Joe! Dan has used the wheelchair for a number of outings including a friend’s birthday, a canoe club New Year celebration, and for running errands. Attached is a picture of Dan making his first trip to the credit union in his new chair. The exact same errand (getting a form notarized) took two days to schedule and was a big hassle with a lift equipped taxi that could fit his power wheelchair. It was an easy 40 minute round trip in his own car thanks to having the manual chair! The increased independence is so amazing – thank you for your organization’s financial support in helping to make this happen!”
Service Experts is an official sponsor of the Foundation and long-term friend of Joe’s. To find out more about the Joseph Groh Foundation or to contribute, see their website.