By FireRescue1 Staff
WACO, Texas — Firefighters are making progress in their attempt to help a paralyzed colleague.
KWTX reported that Waco firefighters want to build a home and have it ready for 17-year veteran firefighter Garth Goodwin when he gets out of the hospital, and the local construction industry is lending a hand.
While working off-duty on a billboard in May, Goodwin fell 13 feet after being electrically shocked. He broke his back and was paralyzed from the chest down.
“He’s a fighter, and this thing’s gonna slow him down, but it’s not gonna stop him, and so we want to help him,” Waco Fire Department engineer Jay Jeffrey said.
The firefighters were inspired to make sure Goodwin, who is now in a wheelchair, has the appropriate home to meet his needs. Dozens of people decided to donate both time and service.
“You know, they’re firefighters and so we’re trying to pull in some construction knowledge to help them get this thing going,” UBI Products partner Wes Waller said.
Waller said around 50 percent of the construction has already been promised through donations from roofers, concrete workers and more.
If enough donations are received, the house could be completed in four months.