After I got blown up, my whole world changed. My identity as a soldier went away because I really wasn’t a soldier anymore. I had no idea what kind of life I would have or even the quality of life.
I didn’t know where to go or who I was going to be. I felt like I had no identity except as a wounded guy. That was okay because it’s like a clean slate. I realized I can become whoever I wanted to be.
So, I put my head up and just started doing things. Having a purpose kept me moving forward. I kept my eyes open to opportunities and somehow, landed onto a path that led me to become Bryan Anderson again. I wanted to help people, especially veterans like me. I became a spokesperson for USA Cares and an ambassador for the Gary Sinise Foundation. Plus, there’s all the work I do for Quantum. I gave big speeches and attended events, met tons of people across the country. I chose how I was going to live. I wanted to be honest, open, caring and compassionate.
Superman was always one of my heroes. So, I just thought of how he would handle things and I tried to do the same. I believe that everything happens for a reason. For me, having that mindset helped become who I was always meant to be.
I’m happy now and have a great life. I’m excited to see where things go from here. So, remember: sometimes when you get knocked down it’s the best thing that could’ve happened. Get back up and push forward!
About Bryan Anderson: Bryan grew up and resides in Illinois. Injured by an IED in October 2005, Bryan is one of the few triple amputees to survive his injuries in Iraq. He is an ambassador for the Gary Sinise Foundation and a spokesperson for USA Cares, which is focused on assisting post 9-11 veterans. Click here to learn more about Bryan.