Volunteer Firefighter Nathan North was presented a custom-fit wheelchair during a July 28 ceremony at the Fire Museum of Texas in Beaumont. Those making the presentation included representatives of Wheelchairs for Warriors, Bon Wier Fire Chief Kirby Schmidt and Polk County Judge-Elect Larry Pfeil.
After moving to Newton County, North had the opportunity to fulfill his childhood dream of
becoming a firefighter. He served the department with dedication, especially during the demanding wildfire seasons in East Texas, where his commitment to protecting others was evident. It was during one of these wildfires that he suffered a serious accident when he
slipped while working the fire line. This resulted in a significant injury to his L4 and L5
vertebrae, requiring surgery. He underwent multiple procedures as doctors worked to stabilize
his spine and preserve function.
The outcome of his injury led to North purchasing his own wheelchair because up until 2025 (after the accident), there was no workman’s comp for the volunteer fire department and his
own insurance would not contribute. Having the wheelchair deeply impacted not only his life, but also his family’s. However, as he lives on 15 acres, it did not work well on grass and
gravel, preventing him from being outdoors.
Wheelchairs for Warriors is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to providing veterans and first responders injured in the line of duty with custom-fit, complex-rehab-mobility solutions (wheelchairs) engineered to meet each recipient’s lifestyle needs and physical capabilities, allowing for mobility and independence at the highest level possible.
“This presentation is more than the delivery of a wheelchair – it is the restoration of freedom,
independence, and connection. Thanks to this custom-fit mobility solution, this dedicated
volunteer firefighter will once again be able to explore his property, enjoy the outdoors, and
create lasting memories with his family,” Crystal Laramore, executive director of Wheelchairs for Warriors, said.
“Our heroes want to live as full a life as possible, even in a wheelchair. ‘No man left
Behind’ is the famous ethos of warriors on the battlefield. ‘No man left behind at Home’ is
our ethos. Isolation leads to depression and we all know the suicide rate among our nation’s
heroes is at an all-time high with the VA reporting a number close to 44 a day. So it is our
mission to supply them every opportunity possible to live free and roll strong,” Laramore said.
Learn more about Wheelchairs for Warriors at www.wheelchairsforwarriors.org.
