Imagine enduring the unimaginable: surviving human trafficking and severe abuse in the troubled teen industry at a facility where four kids tragically lost their lives to neglect. Enduring homelessness on the streets. Battling addiction that once consumed everything. Then, just two years ago, a negligent driver's crash took my leg, turning me into an amputee overnight. Another accident knocked out my front two teeth, stealing the confident smile I fought so hard to reclaim.

Hi, I'm Brady Dylan Henkelman, 27 years old, originally from Chicago, IL, and now proudly calling Huntington Beach, California, home. I've risen above every single one of these battles. Four years ago, I got sober—and I've stayed sober every day since, no exceptions. I share my unfiltered story as a recovering addict and amputee to help others escape the darkness, stay clean, rebuild their lives, and find real hope. My words have already guided people through their lowest moments toward brighter days.

In my free time, I help run a non-profit alongside my closest friends. We organize food drives, mentorship programs, and community events that deliver tangible support to people who are struggling—because I've known what it's like to need that help desperately. I've enrolled in classes to become a mortician, a career where I can provide genuine compassion and peace to families during their hardest times, just as others have supported me.

My job at the 2nd Floor Gallery in downtown Huntington Beach is my happy place. My coworkers are like family—they surround me with art, creativity, laughter, and real kindness that lifts me up even on my off days.

And my unbreakable partner? Thor, my incredible service animal. He alerts me to health issues, steadies my steps, and gives me endless unconditional love. I take him on beach walks, play fetch, and shower him with belly rubs—because he cares for me as fiercely as I care for him.

But my body still bears the heavy scars of these fights. I need three life-changing surgeries to finally step into full freedom:

* Two dental implants for my missing front teeth—restoring my natural smile so I can speak openly, eat comfortably, laugh freely, and connect with people without any hesitation.

* Osseointegration limb replacement surgery—this groundbreaking procedure fuses my prosthetic directly to the bone, eliminating painful socket issues, chafing, and limitations for smooth, natural movement.

* Repair for multiple hernias—fixing these persistent problems that drain my energy and hold back my daily recovery.

With these surgeries, everything opens up: walking without constant pain, smiling without hiding, and—my personal drive—returning to powerlifting. Before the accidents, I loved the gym's discipline, the rush of heavy lifts, and the mental strength it gave me. Once mobility is restored, I'll get back under the bar—squatting, deadlifting, benching stronger than before—fueling my sobriety, inspiring my non-profit community, and showing the world that no trauma has to be the end of the story.

I've looked at current U.S. costs from reliable medical sources and recent data:

* Two front dental implants (including posts, abutments, and crowns) typically range from $6,000 to $12,000 (often $3,000–$6,000 per tooth fully completed).

* Osseointegration surgery averages around $54,000–$55,000 (including the procedure; some cases involve additional soft tissue revisions or follow-ups).

* Multiple hernia repairs range from $4,000 to $11,000 (higher for complex or laparoscopic cases).

Adding essential physical therapy (vital for powerlifting rehab), medications, specialist travel, recovery supplies, and a realistic 25% buffer for any complications or extras, the total comes to about $90,000–$110,000. To guarantee the best possible care with no compromises, I'm setting the goal at $110,000. If we surpass it, every extra dollar will go directly to our non-profit, helping even more people in need.

Your support doesn't just heal me—it creates a wave of good. A confident smile strengthens my ability to inspire through speaking. Pain-free mobility lets me expand our non-profit's impact and thrive in mortician training. Powerlifting comebacks motivate thousands facing their own struggles. Every donation counts: $10 toward meds, $50 for a therapy tool, $100 for recovery gear—larger gifts bring surgeries closer faster.

I've survived trafficking's nightmare, homelessness, addiction (four years strong), amputation two years ago—all before 28. Now, I'm ready to live fully. Join me in this powerful next step. Donate today, share this story everywhere, and help turn survival into unstoppable thriving.

With endless gratitude (and Thor's biggest tail wags!),

Brady Dylan Henkelman (and Thor )

Huntington Beach, CA (originally from Chicago, IL)

P.S. Follow for real updates: surgery progress, Thor's beach adventures, gallery moments, sobriety milestones, and that first heavy lift back in the gym. Your belief makes every victory possible—thank you for helping write the comeback chapter!