Loren Schauers, a man from Montana, U.S.A., endured a life-changing event in September 2019 that drastically altered his world forever. While working as a laborer, Loren experienced a horrific workplace accident that few could imagine surviving.
The incident occurred while Loren was operating a forklift on a bridge. In a tragic twist of fate, the forklift plunged over the edge of the bridge, sending Loren hurtling over 50 feet to the ground below. The impact was catastrophic, with the industrial machine crushing the entire lower half of his body and one of his arms.
Though he miraculously survived, Loren’s injuries necessitated a highly rare and complex surgical procedure known as a hemicorporectomy.
What is a Hemicorporectomy?
A hemicorporectomy, or trans-lumbar amputation, is an extraordinary medical operation that involves the removal of the entire lower half of the body. This includes the pelvis, lower extremities, pelvic organs, and external genitalia. Additionally, Loren’s arm, which had been irreparably damaged in the accident, was also amputated.
Reflecting on the fateful decision he faced, Loren recalled during an interview:
“The doctors gave me a choice. The question was, do you want to live or die? Do you want to live with the situation now or die with the life you had?”
Despite the unimaginable challenges that followed, Loren made the courageous decision to embrace life.
Turning Tragedy into Resilience
Loren’s journey since the accident has been nothing short of inspiring. Refusing to let his physical limitations define him, he and his wife, Sabia, have chosen to document their lives on YouTube. With over 639,000 subscribers, their channel serves as a platform to share their experiences, challenges, and future aspirations.
The couple often speaks candidly about their plans, which include traveling and even exploring the possibility of starting a family.
In one Q&A session, Loren addressed the changes in his relationships with friends following his accident. He admitted to feeling “a little disappointed” by some reactions:
“A couple of friends came out of the woodworks and have been really supportive, [others] totally reverted and have been reclusive. But it’s whatever to me, you know, I got Sabia, that’s all I need.”
Sabia added her perspective, saying, “Going through this together has definitely strengthened a lot of the aspects of our relationship.”
Intrusive Questions and Unwavering Boundaries
As their story gained attention, many viewers became curious about the details of Loren’s life post-accident. Some questions, however, crossed personal boundaries, particularly regarding the couple’s intimacy.
Sabia addressed one of the most common but invasive questions they receive:
“A question we get repeatedly is, ‘How do we have sex and how do we become intimate?’”
She firmly responded:
“That is a very personal question that we are never going to answer or allude to, as it’s very disrespectful. You wouldn’t ask a random couple on the street how they have sex, and just because our life circumstances are different, it doesn’t give people the right to ask.”
Answering the Practical Questions
One area where Loren has been more open is discussing the practicalities of his new daily life, including how he manages basic bodily functions.
In a YouTube Q&A, Loren explained:
“I have a colostomy, which is my colon pulled out of my body so I can poop. And I have bilateral nephrectomies, which are tubes that go into my kidneys to drain them into bags. So, that is how I poop, pee, and fart.”
For those unfamiliar, a colostomy involves creating an opening in the large intestine to divert waste through a surgical pouch outside the body. Loren’s wife, Sabia, has taken on the role of changing his colostomy bag daily and assisting him with showering.
An Inspiring Couple
Through their openness and honesty, Loren and Sabia have turned their unimaginable experience into a source of inspiration for countless viewers. Their resilience, love, and determination to live life to the fullest demonstrate the power of the human spirit in overcoming adversity.