Dec 23, 2021

Chip's story is one we’ve seen time and again of an individual who grew up in a family contracting business. In Chip’s case, his family had a lumberyard and construction company. Ever since he was big enough to carry a shovel, Chip was on one job site or another. For many years early in his career, Chip worked construction. In 2005, his role shifted to estimating and purchasing of materials. In 2018, he went to work for a smaller builder where he handled estimating and materials sourcing, including lumbar, plumbing equipment, windows, roofing, flooring etc. In 2020, they were met with continued success as they closed 73 homes in the Greenwood, South Carolina market.

On March 16, 2021, would awake to a moment that would forever change the rest of his life. When he awoke, Chip found himself unable to move.

A disc had ruptured in his spine, damaging his spinal cord at the T10 vertebrae and leaving him paralyzed from the waist down.

As a part of his recovery process, Chip began his physical rehabilitation at the Shepherd Spinal Center in Atlanta, GA. Fortunately, his insurance provided him with a power wheelchair based on his level of injury. However, users of a power wheelchair also need to have a manual wheelchair in the possible event of the wheelchair’s power failure. While looking for manual wheelchairs that would accommodate his needs, Chip found a model that would provide better access to certain parts of his home as well as that of friends, whose homes are not wheelchair-friendly.

Unfortunately, after spending his available resources on a bathroom renovation for accessibility, Chip had lacked the funds required to purchase his manual wheelchair. Luckily, while Chip was undergoing physical rehabilitation, he learned of The Joseph Groh Foundation: a foundation dedicated to providing information, advocacy and financial support to people in the contracting industry who are affected with life-altering disabilities.

This led him to apply to the foundation for a grant, and thanks to the contribution of many generous foundation supporters, Chip’s wish was granted, and he was able to purchase a manual wheelchair!

This change has made a huge impact on Chip, providing him with a more accessible means of transport throughout his everyday life. After receiving his chair, Chip wrote to the foundation, “Thank you for the grant for this awesome chair. Your foundation is a huge asset for persons in need of assistance. Thank you again.”

Chip's story is made possible through the generous donations made to the Joseph Groh Foundation. Light your beacon for others and become a Joseph Groh Foundation Luminary today.