Brother loses leg to on-the-job injury, Needs Our Help

Brother David Garringer, a conductor off CSX and a member of SMART-TD Local 1393 (Buffalo, NY) had his life turned upside down by a devastating on-the-job injury in a Rochester, NY rail yard. He initially hoped it was a minor setback, but the injury led to five surgeries and the heartbreaking news that his leg will be amputated below the knee on November 21st. 

Too Tall for a Regular Wheelchair 

At 6’8”, Brother Garringer doesn’t fit standard medical equipment. His doctors prescribed a motorized wheelchair custom-built for his size, his only path to independence after surgery. Unfortunately, the modifications push the cost to roughly $5,000, and he needs to secure the chair before his amputation surgery on November 21. 

If you are able, consider helping Brother Garringer overcome this hurdle prior to his surgery. A GoFundMe has been set up to secure his wheelchair. 

Contribute to the Garringer Wheelchair Fund ► 

Mounting Bills, No Help from the Railroad 

Despite the severity of his injury, CSX has not responded to his calls or offered assistance. To make matters worse, the company has informed him that his medical coverage will be cut off on December 31st. With his family already in crisis facing months of follow-up care and mounting expenses, they have nowhere else to turn. 

The SMART Army Steps Up: Let’s Finish the Job 

The SMART Army, our union’s public service arm, has already mobilized. Volunteers from Sheet Metal Local 71 are fabricating and installing a wheelchair ramp for Brother Garringer’s home.  

In an instant, he lost his career, financial stability, and now his leg, but what we cannot allow him to lose is his mobility or dignity. This is where he needs our help.