PROJECT MILESTONE IN PALO ALTO: OHAD’S STORY

Ohad Sherion of Palo Alto, California, has spent more than a decade working in the construction trades as a Project Manager, overseeing residential and commercial projects that require constant coordination and site visits. From 2012 to 2016, he managed projects in the home insulation and solar industry, and since 2016, he has worked with Greenberg Construction on a wide range of building projects throughout California.

On August 11, 2024, Ohad’s career and daily life changed following a motor vehicle accident that resulted in a spinal cord injury and fusion from T5–T9, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. As he shared, “I’m currently in a wheelchair, however I’m still working on obtaining a proper one, and I am unable to go to construction job sites and manage the projects.” This has significantly limited his ability to work and remain physically active in the way his profession once required.

Ohad learned about The Joseph Groh Foundation through an online search while seeking support to continue his recovery and regain strength. According to Ohad, “The funding will greatly enhance my physical fitness and improve my emotional well-being from not being able to manage construction projects,” providing meaningful progress in both his physical health and daily independence. With the help of the Foundation’s donors, he received a Grandstand 3 III MSS Standing Frame.

A standing frame is an assistive device designed to help individuals who use wheelchairs safely and comfortably stand upright without the need for lifting or transfers. The system allows Ohad to move from his wheelchair into a supported standing position within the frame, reducing strain and the risk of injury for both him and his caregivers. For individuals like Ohad, regularly supported standing can help build muscle control, support circulation, and provide therapeutic benefits that prolonged sitting does not offer.

The Joseph Groh Foundation extends its sincere gratitude to the donors who made this upgrade possible for Ohad. For someone who has spent a career on job sites solving problems and keeping projects moving, the ability to regain strength and independence matters. This grant ensures Ohad has practical support as he continues his recovery, reinforcing the Foundation’s commitment to individuals who have built their livelihoods in the trades.

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.