A man who defied death after being severed in half by a catastrophic forklift accident has finally addressed the question that people seem most curious about.
Loren Schauers, a former laborer from Montana, had his entire world turned upside down in September 2019 when a tragic accident led to an unimaginable outcome. While operating a forklift near a bridge, he lost control and plummeted more than 50 feet to the ground, where the massive industrial vehicle crushed the lower half of his body along with one of his arms.
A Rare and Complex Procedure Saves His Life
Despite the devastating injuries he sustained, Loren miraculously survived. However, his survival came at a cost—he had to undergo an extremely rare and radical medical procedure known as a hemicorporectomy, also called a trans-lumbar amputation.
This complex operation involved surgically removing everything from the waist down, including his pelvis, lower limbs, and external reproductive organs. To add to the severity of his condition, his arm—severely damaged in the accident—also had to be amputated.
The choice he was given was both straightforward and overwhelming: live with a body forever changed or face the certainty of death. Reflecting on this pivotal moment in an interview with RTL 4, Loren recalled the life-altering decision:
“The doctors asked me point blank—do you want to live, knowing how different your life will be, or do you want to die as the person you were before? That was the choice laid out in front of me.”
For Loren, the answer was clear. He chose to fight for his life, determined not to let his circumstances define him.
A Life Transformed But Not Defeated
While adjusting to life after the accident has been a profound challenge, Loren refuses to let it hold him back. Instead of withdrawing, he has chosen to embrace his new reality with remarkable resilience. Alongside his wife, Sabia, he has taken to social media to share their journey, documenting the highs, the lows, and the everyday realities of living as a hemicorporectomy survivor.
Their YouTube channel, which has amassed over 639,000 subscribers, serves as an inspiring space where they open up about their lives, their dreams, and their plans for the future. From traveling to discussions about starting a family, Loren and Sabia continue to prove that life, even after immense tragedy, can still be fulfilling and full of possibilities.
The Impact on Friendships and Personal Connections
As their platform has grown, viewers have had the opportunity to ask Loren questions about his experiences. During one Q&A session, he was asked whether his friendships had remained the same after his accident and whether he was surprised by how people reacted.
His response was honest and revealing.
“Some friends really stepped up and showed a lot of support, which I didn’t expect,” he admitted. “But others, people I thought would always be there, just faded away. Some completely disappeared.”
He acknowledged that while some friendships had strengthened, others had quietly dissolved.
“At the end of the day, it doesn’t bother me too much. I have Sabia, and honestly, that’s all I really need.”
His wife echoed his sentiments, adding that their shared experience had only strengthened their relationship in ways they never could have imagined.
“Going through something like this together really makes you see what’s important. We’ve come out of this stronger than ever.”
The Most Intrusive Question They Constantly Get Asked
However, as their story has gained widespread attention, not all inquiries from the public have been kind or appropriate. Some of the most frequently asked questions border on invasive, particularly regarding their intimate relationship.
Sabia addressed this issue head-on, expressing frustration over the intrusive nature of some questions.
“One of the most common things people ask us is, ‘How do you have s*? How do you even have an intimate relationship?’”* she revealed in an interview with The Daily Star.
Her response was firm and unwavering.
“That’s an incredibly personal question, and it’s something we’re never going to answer. Just because our circumstances are different doesn’t mean people have the right to ask invasive things like that. You wouldn’t walk up to a random couple on the street and ask them how they have s*—so why do people think it’s okay to ask us?”*
How He Handles Everyday Life: Addressing the Most Practical Question
While some questions are intrusive, there are others that Loren is more than happy to answer—especially those about how he manages day-to-day life without the lower half of his body.
One of the most frequent queries he receives is about how he goes to the bathroom, and in a candid YouTube Q&A session, he broke it down for curious followers.
“I have a colostomy, which means my colon was pulled out of my body to allow me to pass waste. For urination, I have bilateral nephrectomies—tubes that connect to my kidneys, which drain into external bags. So yeah, that’s how I poop, pee, and fart,” he explained with humor and honesty.
A colostomy, as defined by Johns Hopkins Medicine, is a surgical procedure in which an opening is created in the large intestine to allow waste to exit the body through a stoma rather than through the usual digestive tract.
Sabia, who has taken on the role of caregiver, is responsible for changing his colostomy bag daily and assisting him with his hygiene routine, ensuring he remains comfortable and healthy.
A Story of Strength, Resilience, and Finding Purpose
Loren’s journey is a testament to the incredible power of human resilience. Despite experiencing one of the most devastating accidents imaginable, he has embraced life with an attitude that is both inspiring and humbling. His openness, humor, and determination serve as a reminder that no matter what obstacles life throws at us, it is possible to adapt, persevere, and find joy in new ways.
While his life may look vastly different from the one he envisioned before the accident, Loren continues to push forward, refusing to let his past define his future. With Sabia by his side, he remains determined to live fully, proving to the world that even in the face of adversity, there is still so much to experience, so much to love, and so much to fight for.