RESTORING COMFORT: FRANK CARTER’S STORY

For years, Frank Carter built a career that took him across the country and high above the ground. A graduate of the LA Trade-Technical College Powerline Mechanic Program, Frank dedicated himself to the electrical construction industry, helping build and maintain the infrastructure that powers communities nationwide. Frank worked in Wyoming building transmission towers as a groundman, completed underground boring projects for power lines in Florida, helped construct overhead distribution lines in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and most recently, worked in Salt Lake City installing underground transmission lines.

Along the way, he became a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and was accepted into the Mountain States Line Constructors Apprenticeship and Training Program (MSLCAT), an important milestone in his professional development.

On October 11, 2024, Frank's life changed when he was involved in a car accident that resulted in a C5-C6 spinal cord injury, leaving him quadriplegic. Following extensive rehabilitation, Frank returned home and faced new daily challenges. Unable to work and waiting for approval of his SSDI application, he was living on his remaining savings and relying on Medicaid coverage.

One of his greatest challenges was bathing. "Right now my mom bathes me with a washcloth and she does the best she can," Frank shared in his application. "I would just feel so much cleaner if I could shower."

While researching accessible shower options online, Frank discovered The Joseph Groh Foundation’s Resources webpage and applied for assistance to purchase a portable wheelchair-accessible shower unit. Thanks to the generosity of Foundation donors, Frank received a grant that funded the installation of a Shower Bay Complete Wheelchair-accessible Shower Stall. The portable unit allows Frank to use his bathroom chair safely while providing access to a proper shower without the expense of a full bathroom remodel. "Maybe mine is unique because I don't need my bathroom remodeled," Frank explains. "Only a shower that I can put up in my room and take down when I'm not using it."

The shower has provided Frank with a practical solution that improves both his daily routine and quality of life as he continues to adjust to life after his injury. Every grant awarded is made possible by individuals and organizations who believe in helping trades professionals rebuild after injury or illness. Frank's journey is one example of the lasting impact that generosity can have on someone's life.

Throughout the year, The Joseph Groh Foundation provides life-changing grants that help individuals connected to the contracting industry with life-altering disabilities access essential resources—such as accessible vehicles, bathroom modifications, and rehabilitation technology—empowering them to reclaim independence. By becoming a monthly Luminary, you help propel this mission forward.