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Lejen Warner
A CALLING THAT ENDURES: LEJEN WARNER’S STORY
At just 19 years old, Lejen Warner of Hilliards, Pennsylvania, had a clear vision for his future. Inspired by generations of family members in the trades, including his great-grandfather, who owned Gene's Electric in Pittsburgh, and his grandfather and uncle, who operate Warner & Warner Construction, Lejen enrolled at the New Castle School of Trade to pursue a career as an electrician.
"I fell in love with the field and was doing very well, maintaining a 4.0," Lejen shared. "I would have graduated this coming December. I feel it must be in my blood."
That future changed in an instant following a swimming pool accident that left Lejen with a severe spinal cord injury. He suffered a crushed C5 vertebra and underwent emergency surgery to fuse his C4, C5, and C6 vertebrae with a cadaver bone graft. "When someone touches me, I can feel everything down to my toes, but I cannot move anything from the waist down," he explained. "Post-op I was an ASIA A, and now I am an ASIA B."
Lejen learned about The Joseph Groh Foundation through the Mercy Hospital Spinal Cord Rehabilitation Center. As he began planning his transition home, he and his grandparents, who have become his primary caregivers, were faced with significant expenses to make their home accessible. One of the most urgent needs was remodeling the bathroom to accommodate his mobility needs.
Recovery has become Lejen's full-time focus. "I am told there is a window after a spinal cord injury when your brain is trying to reconnect with your muscles, and you don't want to miss that opportunity," he said. "I'm going to work as hard as I can with every opportunity given to me. I hope my legs and fingers work again so I can fulfill my dream as an electrician."
Thanks to the generosity of The Joseph Groh Foundation's donors and supporters, that critical home modification became a reality. Lejen received an accessible bathroom remodel, completed by Harpel's Contracting and Remodeling, which included removing walls, lowering the floor, and installing a Freedom Showers ADA shower system.
While Lejen's path has changed, his determination has not. The Joseph Groh Foundation is committed to supporting individuals like Lejen and his family by removing barriers, encouraging independence, and helping them pursue the futures they envision.
BECOME A LUMINARYThroughout the year, The Joseph Groh Foundation provides life-changing grants that help individuals connected to the contracting industry with life-altering disabilities access essential resources—such as accessible vehicles, bathroom modifications, and rehabilitation technology—empowering them to reclaim independence. By becoming a monthly Luminary, you help propel this mission forward.