Aug 8, 2022

Throughout his life, Elijah has been hard at work during his countless projects as a contractor. He got his start in the construction trades by working for a builder in Oklahoma in the early 80s, building apartment complexes and nursing homes. Then, he ran and operated a home repair business for more than 20 years. He built detached garages, room additions, roofing, decks, and did some plumbing work. In the beginning, he had employees as needed. He continued to run his business, which he called The House Doctor.

In 2002, the course of Elijah’s life would drastically change when a dangerous horse-riding accident would leave him legally blind.

As a result of the accident, his income dropped about 70%, and now Elijah is sustained by Social Security Disability. Despite the challenges brought on by the accident, Elijah continued to work hard as he had always done. He continued to persevere by learning how to use a computer via assisted technology, while also learning how to use the Internet. Living in Grand Prairie, Texas (DFW area) Elijah’s house was an older home. The house had aged enough to the point where it had roof leaks, which created vulnerabilities in his home’s infrastructure. Unfortunately for Elijah, the roof was old enough that the insurance company would no longer cover it, and Elijah didn’t have the funds available to afford a roof replacement. Fortunately, Elijah researched throughout the Internet and found the Joseph Groh Foundation, which is dedicated to providing information, advocacy and financial support to people in the contracting industry who are affected by life-altering disabilities. 

Thanks to the support of the Joseph Groh Foundation and its generous sponsors, Elijah’s roof was replaced!

^{Elijah in Front of His Newly Roofed Home.}

“God bless you and your foundation,” Elijah told the Foundation after the roof was replaced. “I didn’t know what I was going to do, and I couldn’t believe it when you told me you would take care of the roof. I can’t thank you enough.”

Daikin is a proud supporter of The Joseph Groh Foundation. Elijah's story is made possible through the generous donations of the Foundation's sponsors. Light your beacon for others and become a Joseph Groh Foundation Luminary today.