Indian Lake High School and Middle School students got a no excuses message recently during an inspirational assembly aimed at helping them overcome adversity.
Brad Hurtig was a tough, young football player in northwest Ohio when a tragic industrial accident one spring took both of his hands and much of his arms. As a double amputee, Hurtig wears prosthetics today, but he hasn’t let those hold him back.
He told the students, “We all deal with different setbacks. Things may not come easy for you or it's harder than you expected. Every person faces adversity. And I can tell you that how you handle these difficult moments in life will define your life."
After multiple surgeries, Hurtig returned to football practice to watch his teammates over the summer. When he wanted a drink from a water bottle that was on the ground, a coach told him “If you’re thirsty enough, you’ll find a way.” Hurtig realized he wasn’t helpless and he decided he would not let his accident become an excuse to fail.
“The ability to deal with adversity, the ability to find a way when it doesn't seem like there is a way, will set you apart from others," he explained.
With help from his family, doctors and coaches, Hurtig returned to the field of play just months after the accident. His senior year he led his team in tackles and was selected 1st Team All Ohio as a linebacker.
Hurtig invited several students on stage to pick up a water bottle off the ground and get a drink using various body parts other than their hands.
He told them, “If you’re going to find a way, you have to adapt. And when you do, you open up all kinds of possibilities. You may have to take a different approach than anyone else.”
He also demonstrated how his prosthetic arms work and shared with them some of the challenges he faces daily.
Hurtig acknowledged that everyone deals with problems, from school to family and beyond. He says finding a way means having the right mindset.
"If you look for the positive in circumstances, and I get it, we face some difficult circumstances. And yet, when we can see some positive things, we can become more grateful and start to realize we have different opportunities and skills that we didn't notice before."
At the completion of Hurtig’s message the singer/rapper Kevi Morse presented his hit song, "We Outside." Hurtig and Morse also teamed up for a free concert that same evening at the Indian Lake High School Auditorium.
The assembly was organized by ILHS SADD and the Indian Lake Chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Indian Lake students and their friends have a chance to get some inspiration before heading into Thanksgiving Break! Motivational speaker Brad Hurtig will lead a SADD assembly at ILHS for high school and middle school students on Monday afternoon. In addition, the Lighthouse of Indian Lake is sponsoring a free concert featuring Hurtig, along with Kevi Morse and Friends on Monday evening at 7 pm in the ILHS Auditorium. Join the fun!