I'm a 25 year old in the road construction business, I regularly work around heavy equipment and excavators....But what really hit home and made your story so gripping is the fact that I have the same attitude you once did. Safety is definitely just a word you hear and that's it, after that its just production, production, production. And I'm a pretty safe guy out there in my field, but my attitude is definitely production oriented and I without a doubt overlook and skip safety procedures. Mostly because of my get it done attitude and because I'm a young kid full of piss and vinegar. I will carry your story with me every day to work for the rest of my days (and anywhere else it applies). It is just a message that is too powerful to forget, and I will always remember to implement any safety practices necessary so that neither me or any of my colleagues will hopefully never have to go through what you did. 
 
Again your story is very powerful and it very easily hits home with guys like us in the construction industry. PLEASE continue to get out there and share it with as many people as possible. Thanks again!

I wanted to drop you a quick note to let you know how impressed everyone was with Eric today. I never dreamed that one person could have such a positive impact, but Eric's speech was absolutely riveting, and several people in the audience were moved to the point of struggling to hold back tears. After our meeting concluded I received numerous compliments on his presentation, and it was clear that everyone in the audience had received his message loud and clear. 
 
I will echo the compliments personally as he also made me stop and think about my own attitude towards safety. I can't say enough about how pleased we were to have had the opportunity to meet him and how thankful I am that he has the courage to share his story.

I attended your heartfelt presentation yesterday at Independence Grove Forest Preserve in Libertyville, Illinois. You are a terrific speaker, and do an amazing job of relaying your own tragic experience to emphasize the importance and relevance of safety every day in our lives. Thank you for sharing such a personal and moving story, and making us all think about safety in a new and profound way.

I have heard several different safety testimonies throughout my career, but none have impacted me or my workforce more than Eric's story. Eric speaks with such passion and his story is guaranteed to touch the hearts of all who listen. His message does not only focus on his challenges, but the challenges of his coworkers, family and friends. Powerful, heartfelt, passionate, and must see, are a few of the many words that could describe Eric's message.

On behalf of Ameren Illinois and our Gas Apprentice Safety Days Committee, I want to personally thank Eric for speaking at our event this year. I can't tell you how many people approached me and commented on how impactful his story was to them and how great of a speaker he is. He truly relates to his audience in so many ways. It is critical to Ameren Illinois that our apprentices start out with a solid safety foundation, knowing they have the ability at any time to stop a job if something isn't safe. His story drove home and helped establish that foundation. I know it is a message they will remember for their careers. Thank you!

We wanted to thank you one last time for speaking to our group yesterday. Your message is so powerful. We have heard nothing but praise for your participation at the meeting. We also wanted to thank you for speaking with our employees throughout the day. I know they all appreciated the chance to get a few minutes of your time.

As I've been driving around to the job sites this week almost every person told me how impactful you were Saturday. We have been putting on this safety day for many years and have had many safety focused and motivational speakers in that time. None, however, have connected to our team the way you did. While your accident was terrible, perhaps it led you to bigger things. Most people spend a lifetime finding their life purpose. You certainly seem to have found yours. Thanks for having the courage to share your story.

I heard your story today at our Brookville Shop. I am so sorry that this happened to you. I am always telling the guys every morning after they report to go work safely today. Alot of the guys I work with have that "it won't happen to me" attitude and I really hope that after hearing what happened to you that they will reflect differently upon how they do their job. I was moved to tears after hearing your story. I have to admit that I don't always wear my seatbelt but from now on I will. Please keep speaking to other organizations because safety SHOULD be a way of life not just something you do at your job.

I was going to put the video on and walk away for 30 minutes, because it was mandatory that everyone in the Company watch it. I could have just set it on my desk and turned it back in a few hours later. Or better yet I could have just signed it out and signed it back in without ever taking the video. There was no one watching, no one would know. Everyone had already told me about the video, so I could bluff my way though any questions from my supervisor. But all of that seemed slightly dishonest, so I made the decision to at least take the video and have it run in my computer. I would mute the sound and get some “real work” done while the video ran.

Eric, I just wanted to say thank-you for having the courage to discuss your life changing event with our personnel. It has had quite an effect on our troops. I had the privilege of hearing you in Greensburg, PA and again in Clarksburg, WV. Your story never ceases to amaze me. As we know, some of the most important work we do is to keep ourselves, our families and our coworkers safe. Keep up the good work.

I have had the pleasure to hear your story twice in MA through Columbia Gas of Massachusetts. Each time you have brought tears to my eyes with your story. I have a safety background and while I'm in HR, safety is near and dear to my heart. I've been attempting to promote safety first and let employees know that I want them to go home from the work the way they came in that day. I know it is going to take a lot to start changing their minds and getting them to think safety first. I believe your story helped with that! Thank you for coming to speak to us.

I saw your presentation today at the Call Before You Dig seminar and I wanted to e mail you and tell you that your story is very moving. I work for a municipality in Connecticut as an engineering inspector and I see numerous times when people make the wrong decision on a job site. After seeing your presentation today you have changed my outlook on safety on the job site and I’m sure every other person in that room today.

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You not only have a remarkable story but you lived to talk about it, and after watching your You Tube video you say it just right, your a normal guy, a normal blue collar worker just trying to make a living and you were in the wrong place at the wrong time, and thankfully lived to tell about it. I have been to several seminars and your story is truly the most informative and moving presentation I have ever heard. I could not imaging the pain you have gone through to get to where you are today, the whole life changing experience as a whole.

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Your story has a real life lesson everyone will learn from and I can honestly tell you, you have changed my life and my outlook on safety. Next time I see someone in a trench without shoring, or on a job site not wearing a hard hat I will make it my personal obligation to make them do right. I want to send you a personal thank you for changing my life and my outlook on job site safety. I would love to hear your heart wrenching story again and let my coworkers hear it so you can hopefully change their outlook as well.

My company (New Mexico Gas Company) hosted Eric to give his presentation today (9/12/2011). His story is so compelling and so passionately re-told, I hope every person who hears it is influenced to change the way they make decisions in their daily work life. Our families are depending on it!

Thanks Eric for your amazing talk at our PPL event on Friday. I've never heard so many positive comments about a speaker as I heard after you spoke. You definitely have a way of touching people with your personal comments. I wish you luck in continuing to pass the word about personal safety.

Eric, I can't thank you enough for speaking to all the MIOSHA (Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration)staff about your accident. What an impact you made on each of us. I just finished up compiling all the evaluations we received from those who attended. The first question on the evaluation was, "What did you like best about today's meeting?". YOU were everyone's favorite part of the meeting! You were truly amazing and inspiring. You really made MIOSHA staff recognize how important our job is in protecting workers.

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I hope you keep making dates around the country to get your message out to everyone. I know it can be a lot of traveling for you, but you are doing the right thing in life right now. Your story really touches people and makes them realize the impact a workplace accident has on one's personal life.

I wanted to thank you formally for your presentation last Friday in Syracuse. As a 27 year old in the construction industry your story really stuck a nerve with me and left an indelible impression in regards to safety. As recently as today, inspired by your story I was forced to take action regarding an unsafe situation that I may have just overlooked otherwise. You may have inadvertently saved a mason from severe injury or even death today. Keep fighting the good fight and I wish you much success with your mission. Thank you again.

I was a guest at the safety conference in Escanaba today. Your presentation was astounding! It was so touching, so real, such an eye opener..... Every person that engages in any type of activity needs to listen to this and apply it to their lives. Thanks a million. It will never be forgotten.

On December 12th, I attended a Session on a shoring accident. We were fortunate enough to have a great guest speaker, Eric Giguere. This man was buried alive for 10 minutes and actually died in the hole and eventually brought back to life. His story kept a room of 50 men and women on the edge of their seats. His message that day was clear, the decisions we make on a daily basis affects not only us, but our family, friends and co-workers.

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That day I decided to change my life by ALWAYS wearing my seat belt. I never want to go through a terrifying experience like Eric did.

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On December 17, 2007 while driving home from work, at approximately 3:45 pm, a car in the oncoming lane lost control in the leftover snow from the prior day snow storm and hit me head on totaling my truck. Both drivers walked away from the accident because we were wearing our seat belts. " THANKS ERIC"

I would like thank you for your contribution in making our recent Safety Summit a success. Your session was attended by over 500 people and for over an hour they were riveted to your story and accounts of your personal tragedy.

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Changing behaviors and attitudes towards safety is one of the top challenges of companies and Safety Professionals. Your message is a powerful tool and resource that grabs the audience’s attention and commands respect. The fact that you have literally lived through this tragedy gives you the credibility to have even the greatest “it won’t happen to me” critic reconsider their approach to safety.

You have touched hundreds of people and I have dozens and dozens of positive comments from people that have listened to your presentation. You personify the working man – the audience totally relates to you and I feel that is why you are able to make such a profound impact.

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Thank you again for the commitment you have made in spreading your message. I know you are making a difference and you are changing people’s behaviors and attitudes!