In 1982 Steve Lovelace was pinned by a felled tree that barber chaired, meaning it split lengthwise while being cut down. His injuries were severe - his face and several vertebrae were crushed. Steve found himself instantly paralyzed and stuck under this tree, where he would remain for hours while waiting for help. Eventually he was taken to the hospital, where he would begin the months-long recovery process. Miraculously, Steve would eventually regain full functionality, but the ramifications of this injury would continue to reveal themselves for years to come.
In this episode of the Major Pain podcast, Steve talks us through the many twists and turns of the journey he has been on since being crushed by a tree. He discusses developing arachnoiditis, an intractable pain condition involving chronic inflammation of the arachnoid tissue that surrounds the spinal cord, developed after a surgery to remove hardware from his low back. This has led to the slow progression of paralysis below the waist, on top of a second condition involving nerve damage of the lower back called cauda equina syndrome. Although Steve's pain is extreme it hasn't stopped him from making sports history, becoming the 2nd disabled person to complete a triathlon. He discusses the mindset that allows him to overcome adversity, saying you can either succumb to it or rise above it. Helping others to face adversity has become his life's passion, a life filled with joy and gratitude in spite of chronic pain.
Connect with Steve on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/splovelace/
PlayWatch the episode on YouTube, or listen on your favorite podcast platform.