My Story: Dan Friedrich
November 23, 2009 | By Jenni Baker | 
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On November 14, 2003, I was driving a big pickup truck up Brayton Mountain near Chattanooga, TN. I was coming around a curve and saw a small blue car with a baby in a car seat. I swerved to miss them and went off the side of the mountain, where two hunters found me a couple of days later.
I was on life support for at least three or four days and, by the grace of God, I woke up. My left arm was gone, and I told myself I could deal with that. I got out of the hospital and rehabilitated myself, cutting wood and staying busy on the mountain.
After putting in hundreds of applications in Chattanooga and Bledsoe County, I went to Jackson, TN to my brother’s and started applying there. I went to a Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee store with my sister-in-law and applied for a job.
Dan Friedrich loads donations into a Goodwill donation center.
The next day they called me about the job, and I went through the training at the donations center there. A few days after that, a donations site opened up at Kroger. My supervisor came by several times to see if I could do the job and saw it was no problem.
Everything’s been going great. I’ve been there a little over two years and have regulars who donate to me on a weekly basis. Goodwill gave me the opportunity to have a job and to provide for myself rather than having to rely on anyone else. I just never gave up and told myself to keep on going.
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Thanks for your story, Dan. You’re a great role model for others who are learning to become independent!
Wow, Dan, your determination and perseverance are truly inspirational. It’s great that you found your way to Goodwill and are doing so well now, despite what you went through with the accident. Keep up the amazing work!
At this time of year and with everything going on in the country and world, I’m thankful that there are stories like this that remind me that there can be good endings to bad situations. Dan should be commended for reminding everyone what Goodwill is all about and being a caring representative of the organization every day for donors.
Dan… that story is terrifying! I am amazed by your ability to “keep on going” through such an ordeal. I’ll be keeping you in mind for inspiration. thank you for sharing your story.
I just happpened upon your story and was totally blown away sortof spk. I have a very dear friend who had an accident 11/08 one yr ago now. His name is tony, an X/truck driver now due to being hit by auto last yr and left to die by the road side. But like yourself he also is a miracle. He suffered left arm amputation; however he is having a hard time still makin the ajustment and wanting very much to work, I definately be getting him in touch with goodwill here in Charlotte N.C. upon next week and am believing God for a turn around for him as well. Thank you so very mush for publishing your story. God bless, & keep holding on I might add… Ms Agy’