Hoping to sing again

There was a time not long ago when Brian Fowler could barely find time to sit back, meditate and relax. Between his “day job” as a painter and his passion, which was music ministry, the quiet, soft-spoken, spiritual man was always on the go.

“I used to do concerts,” Fowler explained, playing guitar and singing in a group he called Awakening Ministries, of which he was president. The secretary sang as well, Fowler said, “but the vice president was a little bit too sheepish about singing.”

But then came the fateful collision at the intersection of State Roads 85 and 123. A driver paused at the stop sign waited until Fowler was almost at the intersection, suddenly pulled out, “and hammered me right in the side,” Fowler said.

Suddenly his world was turned upside down. It took 13 operations before Fowler could walk again. A steel rod was inserted in his femur.

“One of the doctors told me I was real lucky they didn’t amputate my foot,” Fowler said.

Though the other driver was insured, the settlement was a one-time payment.

“It covered $300,000, and it took a big chunk of that to cover the surgeries,” Fowler said. “I used the money to pay for the operations and a lot of medical expenses. One of the doctors told me if the steel rod in my femur causes problems, it will have to be taken out.”

Used to working hard but knowing he couldn’t stand on his injured leg for any length of time, Fowler bought a piece of land in Holt to open a boat restoration business. He bought several used boats and began restoring them.

“I figured I’d recuperate pretty quick,” Fowler said.

But things only deteriorated. His Crestview home burned down, forcing him to reside in a motor home on the Holt property. Then began the thefts. Tires, construction materials, boat trailers and even boats started to vanish from the property.

“I was doing OK as far as keeping up with the bills, but all the vandalism and theft…” Fowler said, his voice trailing off sadly. “I didn’t have anything to fix the boats with.”

Without materials to restore the boats, Fowler’s income was slashed. In August 2009 the land was foreclosed on. Meanwhile, Fowler’s injuries continue to haunt him. It has become apparent the steel rod must be removed, doctors told him, but without insurance and denied Social Security benefits, he has no money for the operation.

 “I feel nauseous all the time. I have no energy and my foot swells up real bad,” Fowler lamented. “I used to work anywhere between eight and 16 hours a day.”

But now, after two hours of work Fowler said he is exhausted.

“It causes my finances to be so low. I would pay for the operation if I could,” he declared. “I have always been like that: paying cash for what I need and working hard.

“My plan was to buy the boats, restore them and sell them, then build a big building, a 7,000-square-foot concert hall, for the Awakening Ministries.”

The situation in which Fowler finds himself is an anathema to a man used to paying his own way, earning his own keep and contributing where he could.

“I’ve always been a person to run a business, to be an active part, to contribute to a community,” he said. “I’ve always been a taxpayer. It was a tough decision to apply for Social Security.”

He’s still singing, “but not very much. I want to do something ministry oriented.”

Fowler believes if he could sell the boats that remain, “as is,” the money will finance the outpatient operation to remove the steel rod he says his body is rejecting, and restore his health.

“I’m not a lazy person, but when my leg don’t work, it makes it real difficult to get anything done,” he said, indicating his swollen foot with his cane. “It’s been difficult getting around. Even just walking, my foot swells up. It swells up so much it’s unbearable to walk for two or three days. If I walk too much, it just snaps, crackles and pops. Sometimes I sound like Rice Krispies.”

Now living with a friend in Holt, Fowler welcomes any offer to buy his boats, the first step in his ultimate goal of reviving his music ministry and singing the praises of his Lord.

“I believe that live entertainment really helps inspire people,” Fowler said. “I think it helps people think about God and be inspired.”

If you wish to assist Brian Fowler with his ministry or purchase his boats, you may call him at 603-0761. His boats can be seen at 1515 U.S. Hwy. 90 in Holt on Baggett Hill. He will also welcome your prayers.