Local man inspires others on his journey to walk

Strength, determination and grit are just a few of the words that come to mind when thinking of Andrew Brettner.

Born prematurely, Andrew spent his younger years undergoing a myriad of therapies, appointments and medical procedures. From surgery on his legs to having rods inserted in his back to correct scoliosis, every year seemed to bring a new challenge. Every year, Andrew overcame the challenges.

Andrew’s family and friends fuel his drive. He loves his girlfriend fiercely and works hard at his weekly physical therapy appointments so he can walk down the aisle with her one day. While physical therapy drains him physically, Andrew leaves with a huge smile on his face knowing he’s getting one step closer to his biggest life goal.

Andrew is also an Ambassador for a local nonprofit called Help Us Gather, or HUG. HUG advocates for inclusion and connects individuals with disabilities to social events and activities. Andrew joined HUG to become more involved in his community and meet new friends.

Andrew was honored with HUG’s 2019 Mr. Inspirational award at the Beyond Incredible event on April 6th. If you would like a special guest to inspire the crowd at your next event, Andrew is available for “celebrity appearances” in the Tampa Bay community. For more information, visit HelpUsGather.org or call the HUG office at (727) 489-5885.