Bryan Anderson is the living, breathing bones and flesh of courage. He’s also every parent’s harrowing projection of the nightmares that lie in wait, loose in the world and ready to descend at a moment’s notice.
For more than an hour, Suffern Middle School seventh and eighth grade students sat spellbound listening to Anderson tell the terrifying tales of a young soldier’s life turned upside down. The 31-year-old Iraq war veteran and triple-amputee was the guest speaker at a recent PTA-sponsored presentation that was part of the school’s character education program.
The program’s goal is to help students recognize that ethical values play a role in decisions they make, whether in school, on the field or among each other.
“The message Bryan Anderson shared with our students was one of hope and perseverance,” said Suffern Middle School Principal Brian Fox. “That facing adversity head on, and with courage, can lead to accomplishing great things. He also made a strong point that we are all the same, regardless of how we look or what disabilities we have. Everyone can succeed.”
Anderson spoke candidly with students about growing up with his twin brother, who was his best friend and chief competitor in their shared sport, gymnastics. He discussed how his life after high school led to landing a job with American Airlines and the impetus to join the military.
“After my brother took a job transfer to Dallas, my life became routine and boring,” Anderson reflected. “My friends and I would do the same thing every day. That can be toxic. You need to do new things to keep your brain active.”
Ultimately, Anderson enlisted in the US Army and was deployed to Iraq. On his second tour, his vehicle was hit by an IED (improvised explosive device) that resulted in his loss of both legs and left hand. He underwent 13 months of rehabilitation at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, DC and was awarded a Purple Heart.
Anderson recalled lying in the hospital, surrounded by his family, wondering what would happen next.
“I thought, ‘Well, now what?’” he said. “Then I realized that everybody I cared about was right there. No matter what I did, my family would be behind me.”
Rather than worrying about what he might not be able to do, Anderson just started trying to everything he wanted — skateboarding, snowboarding, rock climbing. His efforts led to media attention, including an Esquire cover story as well as opportunities to appear in film and television productions. Anderson won a regional Emmy Award for his PBS television show, Reporting for Service with Bryan Anderson published a book about his life story, No Turning Back, in 2011.
Anderson is currently the National Spokesman for Quantum Rehab, a division of Pride Mobility Corp., and travels the country making numerous personal appearances while delivering his message of perseverance and determination in major rehab facilities. In addition, he is a spokesman for USA Cares, a non-profit organization based in Radcliff, KY that is focused on assisting post 911 veterans in times of need.
“In order to move forward, I realized that having fun and doing what I enjoyed made me live in the moment,” Anderson said. “At the same time, before I was disabled, I never thought about curb cuts or how hard it is to get through a door. Going through this has given me a voice.”
Referring to the lyrics of a song by Rise Against, Anderson told the rapt Suffern Middle School audience a simple life lesson he learned: “How we survive makes us who we are.”
Photo of SMS students courtesy of Ramapo Central Schools: The photo shows veteran Bryan Anderson with a student volunteer who is helping to re-enact an event from his time at Walter Reed Army Hospital.
Article courtesy of Jennifer Citrolo, Ramapo Central Schools.
