On July 6th, 2025 Dena’s whole life changed in the blink of an eye.
As the ambulance director for the City of Tower, community engagement and relations is a huge part of her job, and while volunteering has always been a huge part of her, this traumatic incident wouldn’t have happened had she not had the job she does. While at the Breitung Community Picnic, intending to just be there with her grandchildren and family (a hard day as it was as the picnic was something that meant so much to her late father), she was encouraged to take her turn in the dunk tank. Anyone who knows Dena knows she always put the community first; and she’d do her part- as the ambulance director, following the turn of the police chief.
But, something went terribly wrong. Soon into her turn, Dena was thrown backwards onto the ground as the seat sprung up. Once she hit the ground she was unable to feel her legs. This incident resulted in multiple spinal fractures and what the doctors call a complete spinal cord injury. Dena had to undergo emergency spinal surgery. She spent over 40 days in the hospital- first the neuro ICU and then intensive inpatient rehabilitation. This accident left Dena paralyzed below the point of injury, below t11.
Dena has already returned to the ambulance service, to do all of the parts of her job that are not “running calls” which she was truly the most gifted at- and anyone who was lucky enough to be cared for by her was in the best hands. A lot remains unknown with the sustainability of this work.
Beyond the changes to her job, Dena’s home is not the best equipped for wheelchair access. Her husband, Tom, of 40 years has continued to make changes to the home for accessibility. Dena will need adaptive equipment (hand controls) so that she is able to drive and remain independent. There are medical bills, scheduled trips to the Mayo Clinic, and also unrelated surgical procedures upcoming for brain aneurisms that were found during all of this- in addition to just life’s expenses and home repairs which seemingly never stop.
All of these things take a financial toll on her and her family. They are not ones to ask for help, but for 15 years Dena has given to the Tower Area through her service on the ambulance- her children have given to the community through ambulance service, volunteering has been a vital part of their lives, and now she’s the one in need of help- a hard spot for the helper to be in.
Also check out other Trips & Adventurous Activities in Tower, Nonprofit events in Tower.
