DETROIT – Grant Anderson was little more than a kid himself when a terrible car accident left him near dead.
"They told me I was under the truck, the semitruck for over an hour. Jaws of Life had to tear me out," said Anderson. "I was lifted in a helicopter to London Victoria Hospital where the doctors said (to) let me die."
Anderson didn't die but faced a craniotomy, six-week coma, five months in the hospital and seven years of rehabilitation.
But the one-time Wayne State vocal student has been lifted up by family and by music, which helped get his brain back on track.
"I wasn't as good as I was before, but like a small child, I was reborn again," said Anderson.
These days Anderson spreads his message of perseverance all over, including in elementary schools. He even gets them to sing.
"When I was really young I wanted to be a rock star, but God had different plans for me and I accepted those with a happy face because in life we need to pick ourselves up and keep going," said Anderson. "I am still singing and performing in a different way on a different stage to a different community."
"When you go to talk to kids at schools, what is the essence of your message?" asked Mitch Albom.
"Whatever you are doing in life if you get down or you get knocked over, someone will be there to get you up. Just look for the help and take it," Anderson said.
Turning a tragic accident into a new lease on life, Anderson plays an inspiring melody that gladdens the heart of Detroit.
Heart of Detroit