Tower Climber Thriving After Surviving Electrical Shock

March 29, 2016

Opinion

By Wade Sarver

Here is a story of someone who is not only a survivor but is an inspiration who truly feels blessed from God and someone who really inspires by his great attitude and his love of his family.

John and Elaina Richardson

First, some background. John Richardson, 24, on Sept. 23, 2015, touched some electrical wires while on the tower working for Surf Air Wireless. There was a bright flash and when emergency workers got there he was hanging limp and seriously burned. He did NOT fall; his harness held him in place.

His brother, Joel, called 911 and stayed on the tower with him for almost an hour until the medics arrived to get him down. He had to be airlifted to Memorial Hospital.

Richardson survived being shocked by 20,000 volts of electricity. He not only recovered but he is working again. He will never climb again because he lost his lower right leg, but the way this guy is pushing forward is amazing. He is more than a survivor; he is inspirational!

In an interview, which is posted as a podcast on my website, he told me he was thankful and doesn’t feel sorry for himself. He is moving on and is thankful for his family and all those who helped him.

We talked about his wife Elaina who was so amazing to not only stand by him and stay with him in the hospital, but who got the funds needed to keep them moving forward. She did so much for him and when he talked about it, I was moved by the love of this woman.

Funds raised through GoFundMe, the Hubble Foundation and the Tower Family Foundation were instrumental in assisting them.

I want to make sure that people know these two foundations are out there to support climbers and their families in need at a time of devastation. These organizations really stepped up and did all that they could to support the family. They didn’t ask for anything in return. They only asked how they could help this family.

I would like to note that Dr. Bridgette Hester, who heads the Hubble Foundation, and Ben Little, Tower Family Foundation advisory committee member, are two of the best people I know. The compassion that they have to help people in need in this industry is amazing. I would like to thank them for all that they have done and continue to do for all of us. Their compassion inspires me and should inspire all of us to help others without expecting anything in return.

Finally, let me say that Surf Air Wireless is an amazing company. They supported Richardson throughout the entire process and he still works there today. How amazing is that? He works for them in the dock and they really are supportive of his recovery. They are doing what they can to keep him going. WOW! Surf Air Wireless is a great WISP in my book.

If you want to hear more from Elaina and John, their blog is at http://samelovenewlife.blogspot.com/ and she will keep you up to date. I plan to talk to Elaina in the near future.

A former tower climber, Wade Sarver creates ebooks and training for the wireless deployment industry. He is also a wireless business analyst and consultant. He does much of the research talking to the people on the front lines to develop deployment best practices.

With over 25 years of experience from working in paging and 2-way in the late 1980s to building systems for wireless internet, public safety, broadcast and cellular — he currently specializes in small cells and DAS. His website can be found at http://wade4wireless.com/