Help Bryan Get Back on the Road

I want to tell you about someone very special to me - a dear family friend named Bryan Allen. Bryan was close friends with both my uncle and my father, and growing up, he joined us on countless camping trips. To me, this man was a man of steel - my real-life Superman.

Bryan was born on January 20, 1959, to Mr. and Mrs. Allen. He was born with congenital limb differences that affected his hands and feet. His hands each have a single fused digit instead of separate fingers, right clubfoot, and he uses a prosthetic on his left leg. The doctors told his parents he wouldn't survive his first birthday. But they had no idea that God had much greater plans for Bryan - plans that would unfold through the extraordinary life he would go on to live.

My Uncle Billy first met Bryan when he was just a young boy. Bryan approached him, asking if he could wash his car to earn some extra money. That simple moment marked the beginning of Bryan becoming part of our family. Over the years, my uncle and dad would take Bryan everywhere with them. They'd often get into trouble together, racing around in fast cars. Bryan became a regular on our family camping trips, and I have so many memories of him floating down the river with us. I'll never forget my father playfully shouting to people passing by, "Help us! Our friend has lost his leg!" The shocked expressions on people's faces were priceless.

Throughout my entire life, Bryan has been the epitome of a gentleman. He would always insist on opening doors for everyone, and he'd drive us around while people stared in disbelief, probably wondering why we weren't "helping" him. But here's the thing - I never saw Bryan as someone with a disability. To us, and to everyone who truly knew him, he was simply another man - no different from anyone else.

Despite those early dire predictions from doctors, Bryan went out and conquered the world. He didn't just survive - he thrived. He earned his bachelor's degree from Kennesaw State University and went on to get his master's degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. It was in New Orleans where he met the love of his life, and they've now been married for 41 beautiful years. Together, they raised two incredible sons and are now grandparents to four grandchildren, with another due this August. For over 40 years, Bryan has served as a pastor, spreading God's word while simultaneously working full-time at the Tuscaloosa Water Department for more than 35 years.

Bryan has always been a minimalist - strong, independent, and constantly putting others before himself. But over the years, his body has begun wearing down. He's had to rely more and more on his electric motorized wheelchair. He's been driving a customized van with an electrical lift gate and a custom driver's seat that rotates so he can transfer in and out of his chair. He's had to repair this van countless times, including replacing the transmission three times.

Now Bryan has reached a point where he desperately needs a new van. The cost of a used vehicle equipped with all the modifications he requires is substantial - anywhere from $65,000 to $75,000. On his fixed income, this is simply beyond his reach. I'm reaching out to ask for help in getting Bryan the handicapped-accessible van he needs. Any donation, no matter the size, would mean the world to us and would help this incredible man maintain his independence and continue serving others.

Bryan has spent his entire life giving to others. I want to be able to give back to him. Thank you for all your love and support