Wounded Fort Bragg soldier receives gift of mobility

Wounded Fort Bragg soldier, Sgt. Jonathon Rivenbark, receives gift of mobility
Fay Observer
By Drew Brooks
Staff writer
October 26, 2013

Staff photo by Elizabeth Frantz
Sgt. Jonathan Rivenbark tests out his new all-terain, standing wheelchair outside the Soldier and Family Assistance Center in Fort Bragg.

Sgt. Jonathon Rivenbark grew up on the beaches near Wilmington, on hiking trails and among the outdoors.

So it was a cruel twist of fate when Rivenbark, deployed with the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, was wounded in Afghanistan last year.

The injuries killed the nerves in Rivenbark's legs. To walk, he uses crutches and an implant that sends a shock through his nervous system to make his legs move. He's limited to just a few hundred yards an outing.

That changed Friday, however, thanks to a company that wanted to help a soldier.

Carco Group Inc., which has an office in Spring Lake, teamed with the nonprofit 4 Wheels 2 Heal to donate an Action Trackchair to Rivenbark.

The heavy-duty wheelchair with tank treads is meant to go on any terrain, according to officials, including steep hills and water.

Basic models cost more than $10,000 each, according to the company's website.

Rivenbark, 24, received the chair in a short, informal ceremony outside Fort Bragg's Soldier Family Assistance Center and quickly took the controls, climbing curbs and spinning around the outside of the Warrior Transition Battalion.
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