By Erica Solvig
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Brad Fritz, from Crestview Hills, shows off a tatoo in honor of his cousins who died, and a Chinese symbol above the initials, meaning "strength". (Leigh Patton photo) | ZOOM |

CRESTVIEW HILLS - Brad Fritz's new dorm room might just have been the busiest one at Thomas More College Sunday afternoon.

The 19-year-old, who spent four months in a hospital recovering from a 1999 accident, uses a wheelchair. His parents were unloading boxes and personalizing his two-bedroom dorm suite, while a stream of residence assistants stopped by to meet him.

Not bad for a guy who expressed anxiety about fitting in during his freshman year.

"I'm excited but a little afraid," Fritz typed on a special laptop he uses to communicate. "I've never lived away from home. It's a whole new thing in my life."

Fritz was a 15-year-old sophomore at Covington Catholic High School when, on Sept. 18, 1999, a car driven by his friend rammed a tree in Highland Cemetery. He spent months trying to recover from a brain injury that robbed him of speech, short-term memory and ability to walk.

The driver, then a 15-year-old sophomore at Beechwood High, pleaded guilty to second-degree assault and driving under the influence. Fritz had to repeat some of his classes.

He has a shoulder tattoo that includes the Chinese symbol for strength.

Now, he's anticipating his freshman year at the small liberal arts college and meeting girls. His mom, Peggy Fritz, said they chose Thomas More College after seeing how handicapped accessible the dorm room and campus were.

The fall term begins Wednesday, one of the earliest among area colleges.

Fritz's freshman year schedule even leaves time to continue touring schools and giving a Power Point presentation on how he's been changed by the accident and other life events. He wants to make it his life's work.

"If I can give my presentation for the rest of my life, I'd like to do that," typed Fritz, who had been leaning toward an accounting degree. "I don't even care about the money. Just knowing I make a difference is payment enough."

His dad, Don, lowered the bed to make it accessible.

"I have my orders: unless I bring the dog, I can't visit," joked Peggy.

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E-mail esolvig@enquirer.com