Richard Herod III, renowned for his ads featuring the White Bear Mitsubishi mascot and his unwavering kindness in helping others, is now embarking on a new journey. In White Bear Lake, Minnesota, he had been a highly recognizable car dealer for over 25 years. However, a car crash three and a half years ago led to a traumatic brain injury and a concussion, making it difficult for him to continue running his dealerships. As a result, he decided to hand over the keys and enter a new phase of life.

Dealing with the Aftermath of a Brain Injury

Currently, Richard has between 8 and 15 appointments every week, including medical appointments, treatments, and rehabilitations. These appointments can be overwhelming at times, and he has had to learn how to adapt. During an eye test with his occupational therapist Valerie Schuld, he had to take breaks and take several deep breaths. Due to the nature of brain injuries, such tests can trigger headaches, nausea, dizziness, and even changes in acuity. But Richard is working hard with his therapist to improve his condition.He used to be able to type over 100 words a minute, but now he is facing difficulties. This is a common issue after a brain injury as things that were once automatic no longer feel that way. However, with proper exercises and work, he is hopeful of regaining his typing speed.

The Invisible Injury and Its Impact

The bad news for Richard is that the rehabilitation work required comes at the cost of the work he has always loved. He remembers the confident Richard he used to be, feeling on top of the world and believing that his Mitsubishi dealership was the best in the country. With his furry friend as his mascot sidekick, they even created a viral video. But when his doctor told him to give up his identity, he felt like his life was over.Throughout the years, Richard was not only known for his work but also for his generosity and philanthropy. He and the Bear Lot and White Bear Mitsubishi often donated vehicles to families in need. He was a proud sponsor of Twin Cities Pride and an inspiration and advocate for others in the community. As a child of Deaf parents, he also brought visibility and attention to the needs of the Deaf community.

Using Setback as Motivation

Reflecting on all his past work, Richard decided to use his medical setback as motivation for his next chapter. He wants his legacy to be philanthropic in nature and focused on the community. Now, he is working with the Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance and launched a fundraiser this week. The fundraiser, called Richard's Challenge, has a donor providing $10,000 of matching funds if he can raise $10,000 by Sunday night.Richard wants to give back and help others because he realizes that there is a lack of awareness about brain injuries. Many people with brain injuries look okay on the outside but are actually struggling. In Minnesota alone, over 100,000 people have been impacted by brain injuries, and the number of people he has met who had no idea they had a brain injury has been shocking. By making these connections, he hopes to help others in the same way.This new phase of his life is about finding as much of himself back as possible. He may not be what he was before, but he is learning to accept that and move forward.If you want to know more about Richard's Challenge, click here.This week, Walser Automotive Group also hired Richard as a community ambassador. Although it's just a few hours a week, it gives him a chance to reconnect with an industry and a community he loves.