Check Out Henry Bryant’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Henry Bryant.

Hi Henry, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
October 30, 2016 was the day that changed my life forever. Never in my wildest dreams did I think about the journey my life was about to navigate through. From the heartaches and pains; to the struggles mentally; from the ups and downs; good times and bad; disappointments and loneliness; to physical appearance and just wanting to let it all go.

On this day, I was involved in a motorcycle accident (no fault of my own) where a driver swerved into on-coming traffic striking me and my wife head on resulting in so much damage that I had to have my right leg amputated below the knee.

Never did I think I would be able to look at myself again, think anyone would love me, think I could be good enough, think my life was worth living or be able to walk again. My faith was being tested so much that I found myself questioning and upset with God for allowing this to happen and screaming why am I being punished. I started to push love ones away because I couldn’t stand to look at my self and all I could think about was what had happened to me.

One day I received a vision that God never left me and was still with me and all these ideals starting populating in my head, I grabbed a pad and started writing everything down. Once I finished with the list I started reading over what I wrote and instantly everything started coming together and I started brainstorming on how to take control of my life and stop feeling sorry for myself. I stopped questioning why me and what had happened to me and started saying why not me and look at what is about to happen to me.

From that day forward I wanted to be the best version of myself and I wanted to show the world that even in the darkest of times, there is light. You just have to be willing to go through some things to get there. This journey I am on has not been easy and continues to challenge me daily. But my faith is stronger and I have a purpose to fulfill and that keeps me motivated. My outlook is on my mission and not what others think of me. People will have opinions and make comments but they have not and will not walk in the same shoes I am in, so trying to prove points or change others’ views is pointless to me. Five Toes Down has been a birth of a new person and I am living witness to being knocked completely down but finding just a little strength to sit up until I can stand up again.

I felt so alone when becoming an amputee because I was unaware people like me where living life to the fullest, overcoming obstacles, breaking barriers and having fun doing it. I want to be an example and be visual also so others can see the same in me. No telling where life may take you and sometimes you are not ready…but remember keep God in your heart and start your healing taking the first steps with Five Toes Down!

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Being an amputee has not been a smooth road and I’ve had and continue to have struggles along the way.

Struggles include: learning to walk, shifting weight in your body, accepting limb lost, accepting how your body has changed, feeling confident, feeling stable, feeling strong enough, mental acceptance, emotional struggles, self love, self healing, motivation and many more. These are some of the factors dealt with daily that I’m learning to overcome and learning to not allow anyone of them to take me back to step 1 of being depressed and wanted to give up.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am currently working as an Assistant Grocery Manager for Publix Grocery Store. A job that is very demanding, physical and stressful at times. This is a job where you are constantly on your feet, and duties include everything from ordering product to managing a team to help carry out goals and standards of the company. You are in charge of individual personalities with a responsibility to figuring out the best way to mesh them all together to complete daily task.

I am most proud of being able to get back to a new normal where I am able to do my job with little to no assistance. I stepped down from my role as assistant grocery manager after the accident because the pain of being on my feet was unbearable. I started to build my strength and put in work until I was able to perform at a higher standard. My focus has been to be able to work as hard as I did when I had both my legs and at times I believe I tend to exceed my expectations. I continue to reach new levels and have secured my spot back as Assistant Grocery Manager with the next position higher up in sight.

My personality, faith, love for others, myself, and life set me apart from others. Many people are good at many things but it’s something about making others feel a certain way that I seem to have a gift at. Love to have fun and love to laugh and these two things alone can be very contagious.

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned along the way is that you have to learn how to deal with your own mental mindset in order to be the best version of you. When you deal with your personal emotions, physical appearance, mindset, etc….this allows you to know who you are, know your self worth, know your value and helps you to navigate through life during anything that may come your way.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.fivetoesdown.net
• Instagram: Fivetoesdown@instagram
• Facebook: Fivetoesdown@facebook
• Youtube: Five Toes Down