Brian Ortner Trackchair Fundraiser CWA Local 4670

On July 20, 2019 our CWA union brother, lineman Brian Ortner, was called in to work to repair downed cables after a devastating storm that ripped through Wisconsin Rapids.

While clearing debris that was lying on a cable, a large tree limb swung and struck Brian the back, pinning him to the ground and crushing his spine.

Brian survived after going through a very serious surgery which helped to preserve his life. But Brian is now paralyzed from the chest down, and is adjusting to living with the use of a wheelchair, as well as the many other changes to his and his family's life.

Brian has been a CWA member and Lineman for Solarus (Wood County Telephone) for over 7 years, is a hard-working man, and a great co-worker. Having spent the past several months in physical therapy, learning how to deal with his new way of life, he has returned to our community and is adjusting with his family.

Brian is a husband and father of two, and an avid outdoorsman. Brian and his family enjoy camping and ice fishing, and Brian also enjoys tapping maple trees on his property to make maple syrup.

As members of CWA Local 4670, we would like to help Brian by raising money to buy him an all-terrain Trackchair so that he can go back to enjoying the outdoors after adjusting to life after his injury.

All funds raised will go toward the purchase of a Trackchair for Brian, which will allow him to get around in the woods, the lake and the campground, so that he can return to doing some of the Outdoor activities that he and his family enjoyed before this life-changing injury.