The Joseph Groh Foundation is a wonderful organization that provides financial support to those in the construction field who have suffered life-altering injuries. Every year, the Joseph Groh Foundation honors numerous recipients with a grant and this year the Joseph Groh Foundation was honored 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 lover, Daniel loved hiking in the Oregon wilderness, and in June 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 broke away and he fell 70 feet down a boulder field.
The fall was devastating, resulting in a spinal cord injury, a concussion, hemorrhagic brain lacerations, and a fractured left arm. After rehab, Daniel was able to move his arms, but could not use his fingers. While insurance provided him with a power wheelchair, Daniel desired to keep his upper body strength and cardiac health and desired an ultralight, collapsible manual wheelchair.
Because Daniel needs around the clock in-home care and had to buy a home equipped with a patient lift and wheelchair entry, he was unable to afford the wheelchair he desired. Until he learned about the Joseph Groh Foundation! Below is the note his daughter, Linden, sent in to the Foundation:
“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 Joseph Groh Foundation and long-term friend of Joe’s. To learn more about the Joseph Groh Foundation or to give, see their website.