FAIRFAX, Texas — The Joseph Groh Foundation has named Samantha Gott, an HVAC industry professional, a 2026 grant recipient. The grant provides accessibility equipment to help her return home following a serious spinal cord injury.

Gott was working as an air distribution estimating supervisor for LONG Building Technologies when she suffered a ground-level fall in December 2025. The accident caused a C4 spinous fracture and a C3-4 ligamentous injury.

She underwent C3-7 anterior cervical discectomy and fusion surgery and began rehabilitation. Her recovery required significant adjustments to her home and daily life.

Gott's multilevel home lacked a bedroom and full bathroom on the main floor. This created accessibility challenges as she prepared to leave inpatient rehabilitation and return home.

Through its 2026 grant, the Joseph Groh Foundation provided Gott with a Harmar Pinnacle SL300 chair lift and an accessible van. The van features a lowered floor, a manual folding ramp with carpet flooring and retractable straps.

The equipment addresses two of the most immediate barriers to Gott's return home, helping her navigate her living environment and regain mobility.

The injury also created financial challenges for Gott and her family. As the primary income earner, her reduced income forced her husband to postpone his planned retirement and continue working to meet household expenses.

Gott learned about the foundation through colleagues at LONG Building Technologies and Krueger-HVAC. The foundation's assistance is helping her family adapt to the changes resulting from her injury.

The Joseph Groh Foundation provides support to members of the HVAC industry facing life-altering injuries or illnesses. Its 2026 grant to Gott helps address accessibility needs as she and her family adjust to life after her injury.

More information about the foundation and its grant recipients is available at josephgrohfoundation.org.