Imagine being 18 years old, with dreams full of your head, and working hard to build your future. That was Loren Schauers in September 2019, working on a construction site in a small town in Montana, USA. He was an ordinary teenager, doing his job, thinking about what the future held. But one fateful day changed everything.
Loren was operating a forklift, a heavy, powerful machine for which he hadn’t even been trained to use. His supervisor had asked him to move a water barrier across a bridge, a task that seemed simple but was actually very dangerous. As Loren began maneuvering the forklift, a car sped towards him. Loren tried to move out of the way, but the dirt path beneath him wasn’t solid enough. The ground gave way, and Loren’s forklift fell 15 meters to the side of the road.
When Loren’s forklift hit the ground, his world collapsed. The heavy machine rolled over him, crushing the entire lower part of his body. Loren was trapped and in immense pain, but he remained conscious throughout the ordeal. Despite the horrifying situation, he managed to stay calm and try to breathe, even though it felt like the weight of the world was on his chest.
Loren’s colleagues rushed to help him, but they needed a larger machine to lift the forklift. For what seemed like an eternity, Loren remained pinned under the crushing weight, unable to move, with dirt and broken glass in his eyes. Finally, an excavator arrived to lift the forklift, and Loren was airlifted to the hospital. But the damage was severe. Loren’s legs were crushed beyond repair, and the young man had to make the most difficult decision of his life: to die doing nothing or to amputate everything below his waist in an attempt to survive. He chose the latter. Even lying in the hospital, surrounded by doctors who seemed helpless, Loren decided to fight for his life, no matter what. Loren even remembers joking with the doctors, telling them that even if all that remained of him was a head on a plate, he would survive!
Loren’s recovery was long and painful, but he wasn’t alone. His girlfriend, Sabia, stayed by his side, helping him through the darkest days. They married shortly after Loren returned to the hospital, and although they faced countless challenges together, their love and determination never wavered.
Over time, Loren found new ways to enjoy life. He discovered that being in water alleviated the physical pain he felt, so he started going to the pool whenever he could. Unfortunately, living in a very isolated area, the nearest pool is three hours away, making these moments of relief too rare. Loren also loves spending time with his nephew, a source of happiness for him, as well as watching historical documentaries like The Crown, Deadwood, or Yellowstone.
Loren and Sabia also share their journey on their YouTube channel, which has nearly 639,000 subscribers, hoping to inspire others facing their own challenges. Loren’s message is clear: no matter what life throws at you, never give up. Keep moving forward, stay positive, and find the strength to continue, even when things seem impossible.
In addition to their online activity, Loren continues to nurture his passions. A music lover, he recently had an extraordinary time at Lollapalooza, where he attended concerts of several of his favorite artists like Future and Metro Boomin. He also loves playing video games thanks to his specially configured controller, which allows him to control the game with one hand.
Even though his life has changed in ways he never imagined, Loren has found new dreams to pursue. Despite the daily pain that never leaves him and the hospital stays due to renal infections, Loren does not just live day by day. He has ambitious dreams and concrete plans for the future. His greatest wish is to become an inspiration to those who have had similar experiences. To this end, Loren plans to create a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting victims of serious accidents and their families, offering essential resources and support to navigate their trials. But Loren doesn’t stop there. He dreams of setting up a building to serve as the headquarters for his organization, a warm place. He envisions a floor designed as a playroom where parents could safely let their children play while they receive the support they need. Loren also wishes to write a book about his story so that his journey becomes a light in the darkness for those who need it most.
So, whenever you face a difficult challenge, remember Loren’s story. Remember that you are stronger than you think, and with courage and determination, you can overcome anything. The Toombow Kids team and SOS Madison International support him 100%. His daily life can be followed on his Instagram account and YouTube channel. A testament to the power of the human spirit that will inspire us all for years to come.