Discovery teacher has life change after tornadoes

April 27, 2011 was a day marred by tragedy. One man’s story of that day reflects an inspiring side of those tragic events.

Brad Jefferson

Brad Jefferson, a career technology teacher and head football/basketball coach at Discovery Middle School experienced the devastation first hand as well as the life-changing events following that fateful day.

Last year, Jefferson’s home, located in Toney, was among the many homes in Madison County destroyed. Jefferson recalled standing in his front yard watching as the tornado began its path towards his neighborhood.

“It was coming right for us,” he said. “I knew I had to remain calm for my family.”

Jefferson and his then-pregnant wife retreated to their basement level bathroom with their 6 year old daughter and family dog.

Jefferson recalled the frightening ordeal lasting only a few minutes but “feeling like an eternity.”

“The structure of our home was crumbling around us and debris was hitting us from every direction,” he said. “I remember being able to see parts of the sky above me and I knew that we were in trouble.”

When it was over, Jefferson and his family were left with nothing.

“All we had were the clothes on our backs,” he said. “They were fortunate enough to take shelter with family before finding temporary apartment housing two weeks later. It was the events that followed the disaster that changed Jefferson’s life and personal view.

Having never known the neighbors in his community, Jefferson was surprised to find that the disaster had brought total strangers together, helping one another.

“You never know how people are going to react in situations like that,” he said, “but it brought out the best in my community. These were people I have spoken to before and here they were helping my family. It was very touching.”

Weeks later, while surveying the damages to his property and wondering how his family was ever going to clean up and prepare for reconstruction, Jefferson was shocked to find that members of his football and basketball teams, along with their friends and family–in numbers of over 150 people, had rallied to volunteer in the cleaning and restoration.

“I’m not a man who shows emotion, but when I saw all those people showing up in support of my family, it really got me,” he said.

One year later, has a fresh outlook on community and what is really important.

“I used to be all about nice clothes and material things, but I’m not anymore,” he stated. “Those things don’t mean anything to me anymore. Helping others is what’s important to me now. What I took from that disaster is that nothing matters but your family, your community and what you can do to help those in need.”