A RETURN TO THE GREAT OUTDOORS

At The Joseph Groh Foundation, we are continually inspired by individuals whose grit and determination carry them through life-changing challenges. Dennis Magness of Gloucester Township, New Jersey is one of those individuals, and his story reflects the dedication and resilience found throughout the contracting industry.

Dennis’s career began early. “I started in construction at 13, helping my father with his handyman side business,” he shared. By 1991, he had moved into cellular construction, a field he has remained committed to ever since. Today, he works at Magness & Sons General Contracting, the company owned by his brother, where they build cell tower sites for major carriers including Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and Dish. His role is extensive and highly technical. Dennis coordinates materials, inspections, subcontractors, and customer schedules; manages hand-back packages; works directly with carriers; and even calculates and orders steel components for rooftop equipment platforms fabricated in their shop. His days start early, and he remains deeply involved in both field operations and office logistics, an anchor of the family business.

In 1997, Dennis’s life changed dramatically. While bungee jumping with friends in the Pocono Mountains, a strap failed as he was being lowered after his jump. He fell to the valley floor, sustaining a T12 fracture, an L1 burst fracture, a broken ankle, and serious trauma that resulted in incomplete paraplegia. “I remember him saying, ‘I’m gonna lower you down,’ and then I was seeing them slide me into a helicopter,” he recalled. After multiple surgeries, ICU care, and months of rehabilitation, Dennis adapted to life using a manual wheelchair. He has limited sensation in his legs and two rods stabilizing his spine. Decades of pushing his chair, often over challenging surfaces, have led to significant shoulder pain and worsening mobility, especially outdoors.

Despite these obstacles, Dennis continues to work full time, owns his home, drives, and remains committed to his profession. Yet one area of life has remained out of reach: anything that lies beyond smooth, predictable ground. He can reach a job site parking lot, but not the cell tower site itself. Dennis found The Joseph Groh Foundation while searching for disability-related grants and requested help acquiring an Action Trackchair, a specialized off-road mobility device that would allow him to safely travel over uneven ground. As Dennis explained, “I had the opportunity to try an Action Trackchair about four years ago. I fell in love with it, but I have not been able to afford one. I can get around in my manual wheelchair a little bit outdoors as long as it’s flat and level, but I want to get out to the construction sites with my crews and not just stay in the parking lot. In addition, I miss the beach and the woods. I miss fishing in a creek and going for a walk in the woods.”

Thanks to the support of our donors we were able to provide Dennis with a Trackchair to help restore access to the places—and experiences—that mean the most to him.

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.