Samantha Hanway

Samantha was an apprentice electrician, installing controls for HVAC systems while working for Low-Voltage Solutions in Dallas. Low-Voltage Solutions Inc has offices in the DFW area, Austin, San Antonio and Oklahoma City, and is a leading provider of low-voltage electrical installations specializing in building automation, fire alarm, security, electrical monitoring, lighting controls and other low-voltage systems for commercial structures. Some of the project she worked on included the new Toyota headquarters, and the new Dallas Cowboys Training Facility. She attended Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) as part of her apprenticeship training, and was preparing to become a safety representative for the company. She had just finished up her OSHA 30 training and was preparing for her OSHA 500 classes.

The accident left her with a spinal cord injury at C6-C7, meaning that she is paralyzed from the mid chest down, and has limited use of her hands and fingers. “Before the accident,” Samantha said, “I was a pretty tough chick. I found my niche in the construction industry, and had a job I absolutely loved. I used to be able to carry around 12 foot ladders, and now I can’t blowdry my own hair.” Samantha lived with her son at her parents house, and like all new found individuals living with a life altering trauma she had many needs. They had been referred to our foundation through the Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation in Dallas and the Christopher Reeve Foundation.

At the time Samantha’s mom contacted our foundation, every resource she had talked with had fallen through. Her mom told us that if Samantha were on Medicaid, more doors would be open and more services would be available. Their house has an unusual design for the DFW area. It features a drive under garage/basement, and Samantha’s room was in the basement. It has access to the outdoors through the garage and has a bathroom, but it is small and not accessible for someone in a wheelchair. Samantha’s mom told us that the bathroom was a top priority at this point, because she was having to take Samantha outside to shower. Can you even imagine yourself in this situation?