Alabama Civil Appeals Court judge and former state lawmaker Matt Fridy said Thursday he’s on the road to recovery after a heart attack last week.
He said he credits God’s grace and responding medical professionals for saving his life. His wife, Kimberly Fridy, is a pharmacist and quickly recognized the seriousness of his chest pains, he said.
“I will be forever grateful to the Pelham Fire and Rescue first responders, the emergency room staff, and the HeartSouth and Shelby Baptist cardiac critical care doctors and nurses whose skills, talents, and knowledge ensured that I survived.”
Fridy was elected to the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals in 2020 after serving two terms in the Alabama House of Representatives, representing portions of Shelby County.
The 49-year-old father of five children is also the former Shelby County Republican Party chairman.
He thanked those who prayed for him and his family since last week.
“… I know that the surprising progress I have already made is a direct result of God’s grace,” Fridy said. “My heart may have been temporarily weakened, but my will is strong, my mind is sharp, and my determination to heal and help raise our five children is mighty.”
Fridy said he will return to work as soon as possible.
“Roughly 805,000 heart attacks occur in the U.S. each year, so my experience is not unique or any more important than millions of others who have survived and recovered,” Fridy said. “I am reminded of the words of Jeremiah 17:14, which tells us: ‘Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.’”