Chicago — Damien Winiarski has been employed in the plumbing industry since August 2005. He started off as a plumber’s assistant and worked for plumbing contractors on the Northwest side of Chicago. On July 28, 2012, Winiarski was involved in a motor vehicle accident, which left him paralyzed at the T 12 level.
A T 12 spinal-cord injury leaves one paralyzed in the legs and lower body. Winiarski is undergoing rehabilitation therapy at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC).