Hero's SHAZBOTS Step Up For Robotics Competition

Barry Anderson's Near-Death Experience Doesn't Stop Him From Giving

Thanks to the efforts of 7Everyday Hero Barry Anderson, Monarch High School students are exposed to engineering, preparing them for the International Robotics competition.

Despite suffering a critical skiing accident that left him fighting for his life, Anderson continues to volunteer to mentor the students.

The students are members of an after-school robotics club called SHAZBOTS.

"We're a robotics team," said senior Caleb Cox. "We work with an organization called First Robotics."

Anderson is a design engineer who volunteers to help the students prepare for the regional robotics competition.

"I think it's probably one of the greatest experiences I've had in high school," said junior Jenna Frazier.

"The idea behind the program is that it gets student excited for science and technology -- things that will help us have a better life in years to come," Cox said.

The team's hard work paid off when they made it to the semifinals. The team credits much of its success to Anderson.

"Barry is amazing. He's willing to help with anything, pretty much," Frazier said.

In March 2006, Anderson was critically injured in a skiing accident at Eldora. With 18 broken bones, he wasn't expected to survive. But despite his injuries and long recovery, he continues to mentor the kids.

"This year it has been quite an inspiration to have him just come and be a part of it since he was involved in the skiing accident last year," Cox said.

The accident put Anderson in a coma for 45 days.

"I think it was probably the first run on a double diamond. He lost control and slid down the hill and hit two trees," Anderson's wife said.

Anderson broke bones in his back, his neck, his leg, all the ribs on his left side and an arm and shoulder.

"It was kind of a hard year this year because I just wasn't that active helping with the robot," he said.

The accident has forced Anderson to slow down, but it hasn't affected his desire to serve others.

"So, despite the limitations that have been caused by his accident he's still here and he's still supporting us," said faculty sponsor David Clark.

See http://www.thedenverchannel.com/7everydayhero/13266301/detail.html