Falling 35 Feet & Finding Faith: The Wheelchair Dad’s Story

12 snips

Jul 17, 2025

Guest

Andrea Kotter

Guest

Dan Kotter

Dan Kotter, known as 'The Wheelchair Dad,' shares his inspiring journey after a life-altering fall that left him paralyzed. Joined by his wife, Andrea, they discuss how their faith and resilience helped them navigate immense challenges. They emphasize the importance of gratitude, family, and community support in overcoming adversity. Through their love and determination, they highlight the impact of storytelling on healing and the joy found in life's struggles. Their journey encourages others to embrace faith and authenticity in the face of hardship.

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ANECDOTE

Dan's Life-Altering Fall

Dan fell 35 feet off a roof and suffered multiple severe injuries including a cracked vertebra and broken pelvis.
He woke up in the hospital with immense trauma and a drastically changed life ahead.

ANECDOTE

Accepting Paralysis Reality

Dan initially could move his foot after the fall but gradually lost movement, realizing he would likely not walk again.
The moment struck when he saw his projected release date and accepted his paralysis.

ANECDOTE

Meeting Amid Trauma

Andrea met Dan during their rehab, drawn by his strength despite his wheelchair.
Their friendship blossomed into love, forged through mutual trauma and healing.

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What if your greatest setback became your biggest calling?

There are some moments in life that just stop you in your tracks—and this conversation is one of them. I sat down with Dan and Andrea Kotter, a couple whose journey through tragedy, faith, resilience, and relentless love has inspired me to my core. Dan fell 35 feet off a roof and was left paralyzed from the waist down. Andrea met him after the accident, while going through her own unimaginable heartbreak. But neither of them let their pain define them—they chose to build something even greater instead.

This isn’t just a story about surviving. It’s about rebuilding—physically, emotionally, spiritually. Dan could have given up. Instead, he pushed through years of surgeries, chronic pain, and loss, while Andrea stood by his side, not seeing the wheelchair, but the strength that conquered it. They’ve blended families, faced down trauma, and raised six incredible kids, all while showing up on social media to shine light into other people’s darkness.

We talked about what it really takes to choose joy when life hands you suffering. How faith—real, grounded, daily faith—can carry you through when nothing else makes sense. How sometimes your life falling apart is exactly what’s needed to put you on the path you were meant for. And how you don’t need some “perfect” story to make a difference—your real life is enough. Their content has saved lives. It’s made broken dads rethink fatherhood. It’s helped people believe in God again. That’s the power of two people showing up, being honest, and refusing to quit.

Dan and Andrea reminded me—and will remind you—that no matter what you’re facing, you’ve got more in you than you think. And you’re never alone in the fight.

Key Takeaways:

The life-changing moment that left Dan paralyzed—and how he chose to respond.
Andrea’s decision to love a man in a wheelchair after her own heartbreaking trauma.
The unshakable role of faith in their healing, growth, and purpose.
How authentic social media content can literally save lives.
Why real strength means showing up in the struggle, not hiding it.

Listen now and share this with someone who needs a reminder that their story still matters.

MAX OUT.

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