Josh Mast

Thirty-Seven-year-old Josh Mast worked as a roofer for Vanderbeck Construction of Huntsville, Missouri which is just west of Moberly. Vanderbeck engaged in the roofing of residential homes and public schools, as well as other typical construction work such as tuck pointing, painting, bricklaying, building decks etc. As a child, Josh described himself as “a crazy kid on a bicycle.” Then at the age of 10, Josh’s dad who rode motorcross as a child, got back into the sport. That got Josh into the sport, and he received his first dirtbike for his 11th birthday. He raced right away, and that hooked him on the sport. He was on the verge of being able to go pro, having raced at Loretta Lynn’s eight times. Loretta Lynn’s is the Holy Grail for motocross riders. Not everyone gets to ride there, only those who qualify at area and regional races organized specifically as qualifiers. It is home to some of the best motocross racing in the country, and tends to be the final stop for amateurs before turning pro. He finished third there in 2010.

The accident damaged his spinal cord at T6, leaving him a paraplegic. It also left Jack with many needs, including that of making his bathroom handicapped accessible. Josh’s family found the Joseph Groh foundation through online searches, and petitioned for assistance.

The foundation worked with Vanderbeck Construction to widen the doorway to the bathroom, remove the old tub and lavatory and install a wheelchair accessible shower, lavatory and flooring. Following completion of the work, Josh’s wife Missy said, “We are happy and cannot thank you enough. It’s an old house, but everything turned out well. Thank you so much.”