Bret's Survival Story

On June 13th, 2006 my life changed in an instant when I was catapulted about 80 feet in the air working on a cell phone tower in Rochester, Illinois. I don't remember falling or the events surrounding the accident, so this is the story of those closest to me, who helped me through the biggest challenge of my life. It's as much their story, as it is mine.

I spent 13 days in a coma, 54 days in the hospital and had multiple life threatening injuries including a torn aorta. I also shattered my ankles and L4 vertebrae, along with a broken leg and several ribs. Eventually, doctors had to amputate my left leg below the knee. Through it all, God remained in control.

I tell stories everyday as a sports reporter but no story is as important as our own. I've been thinking about this project for several years; how I wanted to produce it, what it would look like and exactly what I wanted to say. It's been a labor of love, difficult at times to put all of my feelings and emotions on camera. In the end, it serves as a forever reminder of just how grateful I am to have a second chance at life.

Many thanks to my parents, Brian and Sandy, along with my sister Emily and wife Jenna for their interviews. Also a very big thank you to Phil VanSwol, Kevin Mason and Chad Duncan for taking time to go back to the tower site with me to help piece it all together. Speaking of putting it all together, that big thanks goes to Travis Lufsey, who sat alongside me for 12 straight hours editing this story.

Godspeed.

Видео Bret's Survival Story канала Bret Beherns