Worker returns after crippling injury - WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and Sports

CLINTONVILLE (WKOW)  -- State officials honored a Wisconsin man and the company that helped him bounce back from a devastating injury.

Five years ago, 28 year old Jacob Dudzik was in a diving accident that left him paralyzed.

Before the accident, he worked on the press at Walker Forge in Clintonville, making steel parts for auto, oil, and industrial companies.

But, his paralysis forced him to learn a new skill.

He went back to school and now does process analysis and drafting for the company. 

"It's quite a bit different actually, it's computer work, a lot more e-mails, and you've gotta be tech savvy now with phones and stuff like that compared to the manual labor before, throwing some hot metal around," said Dudzik.

Walker Forge was honored for having an inclusive work environment.

The company's president says they made few special arrangements for Dudzik to return and that he made the transition on his own.