Joe Groh, (second from right) with his family just one month before a tragic bicycle accident that occurred on Father’s Day left him paralyzed from the neck down. Groh, an industry veteran has launched a new website, www.joegrohscifund.org.

Sunday, June 15, 2008. Father’s Day started out like many with gentle summer breezes and sparkling waters, marking the river ways and by-ways of Texas. Following an evening spent with good friends, Joe Groh and his wife enjoyed a wonderful morning and lunch with their three children. Just hours later, his world changed dramatically.

Groh has been one of the bright, smiling faces in the HVACR industry since the mid-’80s. His career has included roles as a marketing advisor for contractors and he has managed and directed product lines for various manufacturers. He is still smiling. However, he is now a quadriplegic, a recent victim of a tragic accident.

“Late in the day, I decided to go for a short aerobic bike ride along the scenic shores of Lake Grapevine. At one point, I recall looking east out over the lake and then turned back to look at the trail, realizing that it was taking a sudden left turn. Between the sand on the sidewalk, the speed of my ride and the angle of the curve, my front tire left the trail and I took a hard tumble over the handlebars into the nearby brush,” said Groh. He immediately realized after the fall that he could not move.

“I knew that life had suddenly and unalterably changed,” said Groh. “What followed over the next six hours was a blur of activity as I was taken to a local trauma center and diagnosed with severe spinal cord injuries (SCI).”



On July 25, Joe was released from Baylor Rehab Center, in Dallas, and was able to go home for the first time since his accident. Even before leaving the hospital, Groh had begun to think of his future.

His new Website, www.joegrohscifund.org is operating and all are encouraged to visit. According to Groh, “The purpose of this Website is threefold. First, it serves as our primary means of soliciting contributions to help offset medical expenses. Second, it serves as a means to further educate the community at large regarding the nature of spinal cord injuries and their associated cost. Finally, it serves as a vehicle to help interested parties in promoting this cause to their own networks.”

It is estimated that medical bills for Groh’s quadriplegic care will total nearly $2 million in the first 10 years. In addition to his plans to begin a consulting business from his home, Groh is asking that much-appreciated donations can be made by sending a check or money order to this address, Joe & Sue Groh, 2715 Summer Wind Dr., Grapevine, TX 76051, or you can donate online. Please make checks/money orders payable to: Joe Groh SCI Fund.

For more information, visit www.joegrohscifund.org.

Publication Date:09/08/2008