Surviving the Unthinkable: Brickman Allen’s Journey of Purpose, Pain, and Forgiveness

Brickman Allen’s life changed forever in July 2003. Given less than a 10% chance of survival after a brutal home invasion, his story is not only one of miraculous recovery—it’s a testament to resilience, forgiveness, and finding meaning in unimaginable pain.

The Night That Changed Everything

Brickman and his pregnant wife were asleep when a drug-addicted intruder entered their unlocked home. Enraged at not finding cash, the man attacked, stabbing Brickman seven times. One blade plunged eight inches into his chest, breaking ribs and damaging his lung, diaphragm, and liver.

He flatlined twice en route to the hospital. But a series of what Brickman calls “mini-miracles” saved him—his wife’s 911 call, the most experienced dispatcher on duty, and an unplanned hospital diversion that placed him in the hands of two trauma surgeons at exactly the right time.

Choosing Forgiveness Over Anger

Perhaps the most extraordinary part of his story isn’t surviving—it’s forgiving. Brickman released all resentment toward his attacker immediately.

“Holding onto anger is channeling darkness inward,” he says. “It just hurts you.”

This choice, he believes, freed not only himself but also those around him from the weight of bitterness. It’s a principle he now teaches to teens struggling with bullying, depression, and suicidal thoughts.

From Bullied Teen to Resilient Leader

Long before the attack, Brickman faced hardship. At 16, he was barely 5 feet tall and under 100 pounds, making him an easy target for bullies. Depression and suicidal thoughts followed—until a substitute teacher saw through his pain.

She challenged him to look in the mirror every day for 30 days and say something positive about himself without repeating phrases. The exercise sparked a spiritual awakening. On one life-changing day, he told himself:

“You’re a loved son of God.”

He felt an overwhelming sense of divine love—an experience that shaped his future outlook.

A Mission to Reach the Next Generation

Today, Brickman shares his story in schools, corporate events, and community gatherings. His turning point as a speaker came when addressing a room full of disengaged high school students.

“They were glued to their phones,” he recalls, “until I said, ‘I’ve been stabbed.’ It was like the wave at a stadium—every head came up, every phone went down.”

In that moment, he knew: his survival had a purpose—to reach young people who needed hope.

Finding Meaning in the Odds

Brickman often reminds audiences that the odds of each person being born—with their exact personality, in their specific time and place—are about 1 in 400 billion.

“That wasn’t a roll of the dice,” he says. “It was with intention.”

For him, this truth reframes every hardship: our lives and struggles may be designed for a greater purpose, even if we can’t yet see it.