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Kelly Garner's memoir was recently released on Amazon.
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Kelly Garner
Kelly Garner was voted by readers as the Vestavia Voice Community Member of the Year for 2015.
It's a night Kelly Garner will never forget.
On January 28, 2014, snow created an icy gridlock on the roads across Birmingham. After the storm hit, Garner went to work helping stranded motorists near the Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market shopping center on U.S. 31.
He did not make it home that night.
His Panorama Drive neighbors formed a search team that eventually spotted him at the bottom of a 40-foot-deep ravine near the Library in the Forest the following morning. With the help of the Vestavia Hills Fire Department, Garner was carried out of the ravine.
His injuries were extensive and doctors described his recovery as miraculous. In October, Kelly ran the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5K. In November, he ran the Vulcan Run 10K in downtown Birmingham. February’s Mercedes Half-Marathon marked his biggest achievement to date.
Garner's new book,The Night That Changed Our Lives: The Devil Pushed Me In a Pit but God Pulled Me Out, details his near fatal experience and the inspiration and encouragement that has surfaced as a result. Published by WestBowPress, the book was released on Amazon on July 31.
The front cover image was drawn by a Hoover resident. The book contains pictures from Garner's snowstorm accident as well as from his car wreck several years ago where he was also nearly pronounced dead.
Garner appreciated the chance to reflect and look through the photos.
"It's really prompted me to stop and take a closer look at everything," Garner said.
Despite everything that has happened to him, Garner said he and his family's lives have been enriched from the experience.
“The devil pushed me in the pit, but God pulled me out,” Kelly said. “I encourage everyone to live well, laugh often and love much with whatever you do.”
The book is $28.95 for hardcover and $11.95 for paperback. To purchase the book, click here.
Garner will be speaking at VHUMC at the end of the month.
