Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties

Father on the mend

May 28 was supposed to be a beautiful day for enjoying what the Northwoods has to offer.

Paul Semo, of Rhinelander, Wis., and his 11-year-old daughter, Alexius, said they planned an outing on a four-wheeler Paul inherited from his grandfather.

They traveled from the town of Carey with a group of friends onward to the Plummer Mine headframe in Pence, where they stopped for a break.

Feeling the ride was too rugged, Paul said Alexius chose to continue with a friend on a different all-terrain vehicle. A couple miles down the road, Paul said he turned around to retrieve his hat when he was met by another group of ATV riders who found it.

Semo was making his way back to reunite with his friends when a wheel separated from his four-wheeler. The group that returned his hat found him moments later, thrown down a 20-foot ravine and unconscious.

Semo was transported by Beacon Ambulance to Aspirus Grand View Hospital where, along with a head injury, he was diagnosed with a compression fracture, fractured sternum, fractured ribs, two additional fractures in his back and a punctured lung.

Weeks later, additional injuries were discovered as a result of the crash, to his shoulder, knee and ankle.

He was transferred to Aspirus Wausau Hospital, where he was stabilized a few days later. The following six weeks, he worked hard to recover while at Oscar G. Johnson Veterans Administration Medical Center in Iron Mountain.

Semo's motivation was his desire to be home to witness the birth of his son. He and his wife, Dana, were expecting the baby in late July.

Dana Semo made several trips to visit Paul in Iron Mountain from their home in Rhinelander. On July 15, she traveled to the hospital for Paul's discharge, but the previous month's stress and fatigue caused complications in her late stage of pregnancy. At 4 a.m. that morning, Dana went into labor. At 2:03 p.m., Jaxson Joseph Semo was delivered by emergency C-section at the Iron Mountain hospital.

Paul said "it was emotional" seeing Jaxson for the first time. A few days later, Paul said they "got the green light" and traveled home by family caravan to accommodate medical equipment he would need as his recovery continued.

Alexius said she anxiously awaited the return of her dad and the opportunity to meet her new baby brother.

Seeing the look on his daughter's face, Paul said "it was joyful" bringing him home to her.

Both Ironwood natives, Paul and Dana (nee Kangas) reside in Rhinelander, where Paul works for a small company as a sales representative, builder and installer of milking parlors.

With no disability insurance and the likelihood of needing six to nine additional months of recovery, Paul Semo said they have found themselves relying on family and friends to meet basic needs.

A benefit for the Semos will be held Saturday, Aug. 27, at Spider's Bar and Beer Garden in Hurley from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

A luncheon will be served and there will be a raffle.

The Semos said they appreciate the donations from local businesses in support of the fundraiser.

People unable to attend who would like to help the Semo family can visit gofundme.com and search Paul Semo.

People can also send donations directly to Paul and Dana Semo at 2850 Green Bass Road, Rhinelander, WI 54501.

 
 
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