Heroic Help Home Page Bryan Blattert Grand Rapids Fire Department Injured firefighter Charity

This Web Site is Dedicated to Support Fallen Grand Rapids Firefighter Bryan Blattert.

Bryan's story began when he was training for a big national motocross race in Tennessee. He was training on a track near Kalamazoo, Michigan on July 11, 2010. The day was going great until the end of the moto when Bryan misjudged the last jump and crashed. The impact crushed his T-6 vertebrae and severed his spinal cord, leaving him paralyzed from the chest down. He also suffered from two separate brain bleeds due to the traumatic accident. Bryan underwent surgery to fuse his spinal column from T-2 through T-10. His brain bleed originally caused some memory and cognitive thinking problems, but he is now mentally back together and ready for the long road ahead of him. Since the accident and initial surgery, Bryan has been in Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in Grand Rapids,MI. The nursing staff has been taking great care of him while he works his way through the very difficult and painful rehabilitation. The hours are long and the days are full of practicing daily tasks such as getting from a wheelchair into a car and learning to accomplish the same tasks he did prior to being paralyzed. Bryan remains strong during his workouts and shows great inner strength with every passing day. Michelle, Bryan's girlfriend, has been wonderful providing him with the love and attention he needs right now. She spends many nights sleeping on a small cot next to his hospital bed. Her love and compassion is giving Bryan much needed strength.

Grand Rapids IAFF Firefighters have also shown great love and brotherhood for one of their fallen comrades. They have paid for Bryan's family to stay at the Mary Free Bed Inn (a hotel connected to the hospital) at no charge to them while they care for him during his treatment. GRFD has even made sure to provide food and other accommodations to his family to help them through this tough time. Many coworkers continue to visit Bryan daily to raise his spirits and remind him of their love and respect.

Bryan's release date from Mary Free Bed is scheduled for Friday September 3, 2010. Once he leaves the hospital to start his new life he will need help from his friends and family to regain his independence. His vehicle will need to be handicap accessible with hand controls and his home will need to be wheel chair accessible. This is just the beginning of the numerous expenses that Bryan has ahead of him.

To help Bryan we have put together a charity web site and event to alleviate some of his financial burden. You can make donations and purchase T-shirts that GRFD is selling to support Bryan's cause. All proceeds will go towards Bryan's medical and living expenses. Together we can all help a man that served his community with honor and respect. Please find it in your heart to help this injured hero.

Sunday, September 5, 2010 is Bryan's 25th birthday, please help him celebrate by using the donation button located on this page, or by purchasing a T-shirt. Thank you for your support.

Thank you to all my family, friends and general public who have stepped up and given me so much support. I couldn't go through this without all of you. Special thank you to my brothers and sisters at the GRFD who organized my benefit last night.

Thank you to everyone involved with the Charity Benefit for Bryan Blattert. It was an amazing party that touched our hearts and proved that the world still has love in it. In total we raised $3,763 for Bryan. This was no easy task. Many people put a lot of work into this and their efforts have not gone unnoticed.

Thank you to the FOE for letting us through this event at your establishment. Your facility was perfect and your personnel were welcoming. Special shout out to the Craft's, thanks guys!

Special thanks to Star EMS for the generosity and support they have shown Bryan.

Thank you to Carrie Holder (Bryan's old partner at STAR) for helping plan the event and creating such an amazing raffle table full of great items.

Thank you to Michelle (Bryan's girlfriend) for giving Bryan so much love through this time of need.

Thank you to Karen Boyd (Bryan's mom) for keeping up with us with planning and selling baked goods for the event.

Thank you to all that donated food, chili, raffle items, or time for this event and Bryan.

Thank you to all those that purchased shirts or made donations on the web site.

Thank you to everyone who helped in any way, shape or form. We are very glad that this was a success and that we were able to provide Bryan with just that much more help.