I met Brett just about nine years ago when I got out of prison. At that time, he was House Manager at the Clean and Sober House where I lived, and what a manager he was! Brett’s story is not like many I have encountered. The crossroads between life and death is paved in hopelessness and despair that can lead us to two different choices – do what it takes to live or do what it takes to die. Brett made his decision. After a night of drinking, and an argument that got physical with the mother of his son, the two left Brett. Hopelessly alone in the darkest time of his life, Brett turned the gas stove on high, turned on all the burners, and waited to drift off into never-ending slumber. There was a knock on the door from the neighborhood postman – it awoke Brett. In the same motion that he sat up in bed, he reached for his morning smoke. At the ripe ole age of 23, Brett Hillman was not expected to live. He was burned over 98% of his body, not to mention had been blown out of his house and into the neighbor’s back yard. Close to 20 more years of drug abuse, and a life scared in ways I could never imagine, Brett lives today!
Almost two years ago an article was written about two men From Truly motivated that saved two people from a burning car – Brett was one of the men. Last week after church was over Brett had kids in tow – interested, Carmin asked me about it. “They’re foster kids that he has been bringing to church with him for the last month” I replied. Feeling led, Brett has taken a role in this foster family’s life and spends a good amount of time fixing up the property and mentoring the kids. Kenny G is our House #3 Manager where Brett lives. Kenny has been undergoing Hepatitis C treatment and Brett has not missed an appointment with Kenny so far. For a man not expected to be alive, he is the driver of the Recovery Racing car, appropriately numbered 3D (third day). Ninety-eight percent of Brett’s body is scared from the burns, 100% of his soul is saved, and never have I seen a man smile so big after not completing a race! Brett has in every sense of the word, risen from the ashes and is now Truly Motivated!
