Brant Burt is the manager of the Web Design team at my ad agency.  He was involved in a horrific car accident on January 27.  Brant’s injuries were so severe that the police had started filling out the death report at the scene.  Miraculously, Brant survived … but with serious head trauma. 

After a nearly month-long coma, Brant started to stir.  Of course, no one knew the extent of his brain injury or what to expect.  One minute Brant was minding his own business driving to work on a snowy January morning.  The next minute this father of three was fighting for his life. 

Between Brant and my Aunt Mil’s recent passing, it reminds me just how fragile life is.  I go through each day not regretting decisions.  I also try to make someone’s day every single day.  I now sprinkle in “I LOVE YOU’s” in to conversations where they were merely implied before.  I don’t just need to say it … I also need to hear it. 

Brant’s condition continues to improve every day.  He’s awake, alert and is constantly trying to hug his kids.  He’s also becoming a bit more chatty as he starts to remember things.  If there was ever a poster child for a miracle — it’s Brant — or as his family calls him “BB”. 

Brant’s wife keeps friends and family (and the entire ad agency) up-to-date about Brant on a website.  It’s a novel and new fangled approach to giving status updates.  You can read more about Brant at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/brantburt.

From my time working with him at PlattForm, I found him to be a social, gentle spirit with an extreme passion for his family and all things outdoors.  Brant has months and months of recovery ahead of him.  And the family is holding a massive fundraiser in May to raise funds for much-needed therapy and continued rehabilitation.  Yours truly is emceeing the event.  Details to follow. 

If anyone can survive a massive car accident and live to tell about it … it’s Brant Burt.  The man has a lot to live for.  His brain spent nearly a month re-wiring itself.  And now the prognosis for recovery looks promising.  So we’re all keeping our fingers crossed and wishing the best for Brant.  I’ll never look at a mountain biker the same way again.  And the next time I think I have a hurdle to overcome, I’ll think of Brant.  Everyone appreciate his amazing strength and fortitude.  Looks like this is just one more mountain he’ll tackle and overcome.