Loren Schauers, the man who miraculously survived being cut in half by a forklift, has made a deeply emotional confession about how his life has changed since the tragic accident.
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Loren Schauers has spoken openly about the emotional and physical challenges he continues to face six years after the horrific accident that changed his life forever. His story is one of pain, survival, and resilience, but also of isolation and self-reflection.
Back in September 2019, when he was only 19 years old, Schauers was driving a forklift across a bridge in Montana when the vehicle slipped off the edge and plunged more than 50 feet to the ground below.
The devastating crash left him with life-threatening injuries. Doctors had no choice but to perform a rare procedure known as a hemicorporectomy, which involved removing the lower half of his body, his pelvis, and part of one arm in order to save his life.
Now 25, Schauers has shared new insight into how much his life has changed since that day. Speaking alongside his wife Sabia in a recent YouTube video, he revealed how friendships and relationships have shifted dramatically over time.
When asked whether his old friends still act the same around him, Schauers admitted feeling a mix of disappointment and sadness. Some people, he said, became distant and stopped reaching out after the accident.
He explained that while a few friends remained supportive, others completely disappeared from his life, leaving him to come to terms with how much things had changed since his recovery began.
Loren Schauers was just 19 years old when the forklift he was driving veered off a bridge, plummeting over 50 feet to the ground.
@loren.schauers/Instagram
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"A couple of friends came out of the woodworks and have been really supportive, [others] totally reverted," Sabia added, reflecting on how the couple have seen people react differently over the years.
Schauers responded in a calm but heartfelt way, saying: "But it's whatever to me, you know, I got Sabia, that's all I need."
Even with Sabia by his side, Schauers admitted he still struggles to find his place in life, explaining that six years on, he’s still searching for purpose and direction after the accident completely altered his plans for the future.
"I really haven't found my niche yet of what I want to do and what I can do and what my next step in life's going to be," he shared in their anniversary video, before adding: "I've honestly been in this stagnant stasis ever since the accident."
Before the forklift accident, Schauers had a clear vision for his future. He wanted to work in construction, learn multiple trades, and build a steady life working with his hands — a goal he had been proud of since childhood. But all of that changed in a single moment.
"My plan was to work construction and get a labor job and get some trades under my belt, be a jack of all trades, and work construction my entire life," he recalled, describing how the accident forced him to rebuild not just his life, but his entire sense of identity.
"So for the past 6 years, I've just dabbled in multiple different ideas, real estate, gaming, uh the YouTube… just really struggling to find my niche."
He went on to describe how challenging it has been to adjust to depending entirely on his wife for day-to-day needs. Beyond the physical limitations, Schauers said the emotional aspect of needing help for even the smallest tasks has been especially hard to cope with.
"It's really, really difficult for me," he admitted. "To this day, I still struggle with asking for the most basic things like help brushing my teeth because it's just that part of independence as a man that I don't know, I just can't get away from."
During a YouTube video with his wife, Sabia, Loren Schauers addressed how his life changed after the accident.
@loren.schauers/Instagram
He continued, expressing how that loss of independence conflicts with the values he was raised with: "I feel that I'm the one that should be leading or protecting her and doing these things for her and instead she's having to do the protecting, the leading and everything for me. And to me, that is not how I grew up in my mindset."
During some of his lowest moments, particularly when he was bedridden for nearly a year due to kidney stones, Schauers said he often felt “completely useless” and like a burden to those around him. Despite those dark times, his bond with Sabia has remained unshakable.
The couple had only been dating for about a year when the accident happened, yet Sabia chose to stay by his side through everything. This year marked six years since that life-changing event — and their relationship has continued to endure despite the challenges.
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"6 years ago, Sabia unconditionally chose to take on that role as my caregiver, not knowing what she got herself into, but knowing that her love for me would be strong enough to face any hurdle that life would throw our way," Schauers said, praising Sabia’s strength and dedication through every hardship.
Sabia, who has openly discussed the realities of being both a wife and a full-time caregiver, said the role can be emotionally draining. Still, she emphasized her love and commitment to Loren, making it clear that their connection goes far deeper than physical circumstances.
"If I didn't want to be with him I wouldn't be with him," she affirmed. "I'm here and I stayed and I continue to stay because I love Loren… the change in his body didn't affect how I see him or how I love him."
Looking ahead, the couple have shared their hopes for the future. They’re exploring ways to start a family, either through a sperm donor or adoption, as they continue to build a meaningful life together despite the challenges they face.