Associations, Giving Back
Latest Joseph Groh Foundation Recipient Jacob Scheffel Receives Donation
For a number of years Jacob worked for a company called Shop Specialties in Southwest Montana. They provide sales, installation and service of waste oil furnaces and boilers throughout the state of Montana. In 2016, Jacob and his wife started their own business doing the same thing. On June 12, 2021 Jacob took his wife and three children ages 14, 13 and 11 out for an afternoon of dirt bike riding.
While riding alone, Jacob incurred a T4 complete spinal cord injury!
As he came over the hill, a truck hauling a bike trailer was parked in the road and Jacob was not able to stop. He hit the trailer and broke several ribs, popped 10 ribs from his sternum and split his helmet. He also broke his neck three places, but the spinal cord injury occurred from damage at the T4 vertebrae.
One of the most requested grants from the foundation is for the gift of mobility. Without a suitable vehicle, you are pretty much a prisoner in your own home. Not only can you not attend family or “fun” events, you also cannot get to the necessary ones such as
doctor appointments. It is also one of the most expensive types of grants requested. In this case, Jacob already had a 2019 Toyota Tundra, and the nature of his spinal cord injury was such that he would be able to drive with suitable adaptive controls. The problem was that hand controls with a seat transfer system and wheelchair lift cost around $20,000!
While in rehab, Jacob learned about our foundation through a mobility company in Missoula. Further research led him to a vehicle modification company in Great Falls that was willing to work with him. Jacob found a small grant which covered the hand controls, but that left about 85% of the balance uncovered.
Thanks to your loyal support, the foundation was able to grant Jacob’s wish.
Upon learning of the grant Jacob said.” Thank you so much, that is great news! From a work standpoint, this will allow me to be independent no matter what I end up doing. Without this, my options are much more limited. Living in Montana, it is important to have a 4WD vehicle during the winter, so I am very thankful that this grant will allow us to keep our Tundra. Thanks again!”