Tait Rief was a freshman at Seward High School in the fall of 2001 and had the whole world in front of him.
He was already turning heads as a football player early into his high school career and was heavily involved in school activities. Then, on Oct. 13 that year, his life, and the lives of 34 fellow students and parents, were changed forever.
Tait was on the Seward school bus that struck a guard rail and fell 62 feet into Papio Creek in Omaha on the way home from a band competition.. Four people lost their lives because of the crash. More were injured and countless others not on the bus were impacted.
Tait suffered a traumatic brain injury, a compound fracture , a bruised thigh, broken pinky and other injuries. He spent 20 days in the ICU at then-St. Joseph’s hospital. He was then transferred to care at Madonna Rehabilitation Center in Omaha, where he spent the next four months and needed seven years of extensive therapy and rehabilitation at Madonna following his release.
“Every muscle had to be retrained what to do because of his injury,” said Tom Rief, Tait’s father.
But throughout his treatment, Tait carried the same can-do, endlessly positive attitude he had prior to the accident.
“We’re very lucky that Tait had a great attitude and worked very hard,” Tom said. “Madonna gives out a yearly award to four or five patients. It’s a goal award for people who meet their goals and he met those goals. That was proof about how hard Tait works.”
“I walked through the hall with my (physical therapist) and said, ‘That’s going to be me on the wall some day,’” Tait added.
Tait hasn’t lost the positive attitude since the accident and 20 years later, he’s using his experience and energy to influence others to not give up when the odds seem impossible. He gives occasional speeches throughout the community about his story and hopes to influence anyone in attendance.
“I talk about how my life was before my injury, how drastically I was injured and the personality I use to push through the hard times of rehab,” Tait said. “It’s all about pushing through the task that was placed on my life.”
Tait’s next speech will be at Seward High’s P.R.I.D.E. Rally Oct. 14. Again, he will tell his story and hopes everyone sees anything is possible with the right attitude.
“Hard work pays off, usually,” he said. “What you do affects a lot of people. Failing is just a stepping stone to success.”
Tait’s mother, Brenda, said she’s proud Tait makes his story available for the public and knows that people have taken lessons and value from it. Despite all the losses Tait suffered from the accident, she said he kept his desire to uplift others.
“We know he’s been blessed with a good attitude and sharing that outlook with other people can’t hurt,” she said.
Aside from speeches, Tait can be seen throughout the community, particularly working at Spare Time Lounge and Seward Bowl. He’s also volunteered at the Concordia University weight room, traces comfort crosses for the Cross Makers of Seward and looks for other ways to keep himself busy. Tait credits his work ethic towards his dislike of boredom.
“Every second is a chance to accomplish something,” he said.
And each second is greeted with ambition.
“He wakes up every morning ready to go,” Tom said.
Brenda said his positive presence in their businesses and throughout the community serves as a reminder that of all the tragedy that occurred on Oct. 13, 2001, a light continues to shine in memory of those lost and as a reflection of hope born of unthinkable circumstances.
“In an odd sort of way, Tait’s kind of a living memorial to the accident, to the people who were lost that day and other people whose lives were changed forever,” she said. “Seeing him makes people not forget. He kind of is our little ‘never forget’ monument for the bus accident.”
To have that responsibility as someone who carries the memories of the day that changed Seward forever is a massive undertaking, but welcomes it with open arms.
“It’s something I'm glad I’m strong enough to help see the positive side of what happened that afternoon, to see some good I’ve added to the earth still being here,” he said.
