A builder who was cut in half by a forklift in a life-changing accident has opened up about how his friends reacted.
Laborer Loren Schauers from Wilsall, Montana, revealed that while some of his pals have been supportive, he has been generally "disappointed" by their reaction to his injury.
Loren's life changed forever in 2019 when he veered off a bridge while driving a forklift in a freak accident that saw him fall 50ft. When he landed, the lower half of the then-19-year-old's body was crushed - as was one of his arms.
After opting to undergo a hemicorperectomy - an operation to amputate the entire lower half of his body - Loren narrowly avoided death. Now, he and his wife Sabia document their lives after the accident on YouTube, where they have over 540,000 subscribers.
In a recent Q&A, the amputee responded to a follower who had asked him how his friends reacted to him after the life-changing accident.
They asked: "Do your friends still treat you the same way they used to before the accident? Are you happy, surprised or disappointed by some of them?"
In the video, Loren admitted that many of his friends had failed to show up for him since his injury.
"I've been mostly disappointed by most of them, I'd say," he said.
Sabia added: "I've been a little surprised by some of them."
Loren continued, saying that while "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," he added.
Elsewhere in the video, the couple went on to reflect on how Loren's accident had changed the way they saw their relationship.
The pair had only been going out for 18 months when he was hospitalized. However, despite the challenges, their partnership went from strength to strength, and they tied the knot in 2021.
"Going through this together has definitely strengthened a lot of the aspects of our relationship," Sabia said, adding: "It has made us a lot more appreciative of the little things that we used to take for granted as a couple before."
The pair plan to travel the world together before welcoming some kids of their own. Still, they noted that they now lead a much slower-paced life than before.
Loren said they have "a very simple life now compared to what it used to be", adding: "There's a lot more laying around than before."
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