True Grit: 5 Remarkable Stories of Survival

Maddison Caldwell woke up on Dec. 19, 2019, with a plan for the ultimate act of finality. Death by her own hand. For those who know Maddison, it’s difficult to understand why she attempted suicide. But a young girl with limited vision could see no other options. Today, Maddison is determined to make the most of the life she’s been given, which includes openly talking about mental health.

Arm mangled inside a hay baler, Doug Bichler fought a gruesome battle for life, determined to escape the machine at all costs. Five years later, his recovery is a tale of remarkable resilience, punctuated by deep concern for the safety of others.

John Butler stood 8’ from the fan-end of a propane-fueled grain dryer set to explode. As if on cue, the dryer emitted a high-pitched, metallic squeal as a 3’-diameter fan and its accompanying shield hurtled out of the machine. Play it again 100 times and Butler dies on each rewind, but on this freak occasion, he shattered the odds.

Bar S Ranch was devastated by wildfire in December 2021. The Stielow family lost 200 head of cattle, their house and most of their barns and farm structures. At one point, the family retreated to a green winter wheat field but found themselves trapped. Thanks to the quick thinking of volunteer firefigthers, the family survived to share their story.