A Tragedy That Changed Everything
Life can take a sudden turn when we least expect it. For one man, a single moment in 2019 altered the course of his existence forever. Loren Schauers, a young man from Montana, was only 19 years old when he faced a harrowing workplace accident that left him fighting for his life.
While operating a forklift truck near a bridge, he lost control, and the vehicle plummeted over the edge. In a matter of seconds, the powerful industrial machine came crashing down, trapping and crushing his lower body, along with one of his arms.
The severity of his injuries was beyond what most could imagine. The impact of the accident left doctors with an unimaginable decision—one that would determine whether Loren would live or die.
A Rare Life-Saving Procedure
In an effort to save his life, medical professionals performed an extremely rare and complex surgical procedure known as a hemicorporectomy. This drastic operation involved amputating the entire lower half of his body, removing his pelvis, lower extremities, and external reproductive organs.
The National Library of Medicine describes this as an intensive surgery in which the lower body is severed at the lumbar spine, requiring the complete transection of the spinal cord. The medical team’s only option was to execute this operation with precision, knowing that without it, survival was impossible.
But that was not all. Along with the loss of his lower body, Loren’s arm, which had been severely crushed in the accident, also had to be partially amputated. Despite the unimaginable trauma, he miraculously survived.
Turning Tragedy into Advocacy
In the aftermath of this life-altering event, Loren and his wife, Sabia, made a conscious decision to share their journey with the world. Together, they created a YouTube channel where they openly discuss his condition, answer personal questions, and offer insight into how he has adapted to his new life.
Through their platform, the couple has cultivated an engaged audience, many of whom seek inspiration from Loren’s resilience. His willingness to be transparent about his challenges has helped demystify what it means to live after such a drastic medical procedure.
Navigating Everyday Life
One of the most common questions Loren receives is about how he manages basic bodily functions following his hemicorporectomy. Addressing the topic candidly in a Q&A video, he explained the medical interventions that allow him to function.
He underwent a colostomy, a surgical procedure that creates an opening in the large intestine, allowing waste to pass through a specially designed system. Additionally, Loren has bilateral nephrostomies, which involve tubes inserted into his kidneys to drain fluids into external collection bags.
“That’s how I poop, pee, and fart,” he shared with a mix of honesty and humor. His openness about his medical reality helps educate people about the complexities of post-hemicorporectomy life.
The Impact on Friendships
Beyond the physical challenges, Loren has also spoken about how the accident affected his relationships.
During a recent Q&A session, he addressed a question about how his friends have responded to his transformation. He admitted that he has been surprised by how some of them reacted.
“A couple of old friends really stepped up and have been incredibly supportive,” he said. “But others… they disappeared. It’s like they didn’t know how to handle it.”
Despite some friendships fading away, Loren remains unfazed. “It doesn’t bother me. I have Sabia. She’s my rock, and that’s all I need,” he added.
Reliving the Worst Day of His Life
Loren has vividly recounted the horrifying details of his accident, revealing that he remained fully conscious throughout the entire ordeal.
He described how, after losing control of the forklift, he was thrown from the vehicle, landing hard on his hips and right forearm. The force of the impact was so severe that parts of his arm muscle were torn apart and scattered on the ground beside him.
Despite the unbearable pain, he was fully aware of what was happening. “I was pinned. I could feel the weight of the machine crushing me, but I couldn’t move,” he recalled.
Recently, he shared an image from the accident scene, providing a chilling glimpse into the moment that changed his life forever.
In one of the photos, which he posted on Instagram, Loren noted that if you look closely, you can see him trapped beneath the forklift—a haunting reminder of the split-second catastrophe that nearly ended his life.