How They Met

Steven and Lauren met as kids in elementary school. Steven was a year younger and a grade level behind Lauren, so they knew each other in passing in the school hallways.

Years later, as adults, they crossed paths again, and this time, they were inseparable.

Shared Passions

Happier together, it didn’t hurt that Lauren found his interests and lifestyle irresistible.

Lauren says, “Steven is a huge Eric Church fan, so we’d go to many country music concerts together. Steven also had many hobbies, such as woodworking. He made so many handcrafted signs for me with his amazing skills.”

A prior active duty Marine, he was also committed to physical and nutritional health, and he worked out at the gym five days per week. This dedication to excellence also showed in his care of his property.

Lauren says, “Steven took great pride in weekend lawn work. I was impressed.”

The two also enjoyed traveling and spent a great deal of time exploring the world around them. They loved visiting the beaches and mountains.

Since Lauren had little ones from a prior marriage, she also found in Steven a wonderful family man. They spent a lot of time with her two boys, enjoying Panthers games, and most recently, a trip to Disney World.

A Proposal

With so much in common, the couple knew they were right for each other, so Steven proposed in June 2019, and they settled into life as a family of four with no idea of the challenges that loomed ahead.

It was just six months later when everything would change.

A Traumatic Collision

On Saturday, January 25, 2020, a crisp and clear winter day, Steven and Lauren were joyriding their motorcycle down Highway 70 heading out to enjoy an afternoon lunch. Suddenly, a truck — that had failed to yield — merged onto the highway. The vehicles collided at full speed, sending the couple flying from the motorcycle.

A flurry of people saw the accident and called 911. Almost immediately an ambulance arrived on scene and took the couple to a nearby hospital. The care team kept Lauren there and treated her injuries, but they airlifted Steven to Vidant Medical’s Trauma unit in Greenville, NC.

Lauren was discharged that Monday. Four days after discharge, she went to Greenville to see Steven in the hospital.

Lauren says, “He was in a medically induced coma due to a traumatic brain injury (TBI) categorized as a diffuse axonal injury (DAI) as a result of a basilar skull fracture behind his left ear. For this reason, Steven ended up with right-side weakness.”

About six days into the coma, the care team began to see increased brain activity, so they administered medication to slowly bring Steven out of his coma.

Lauren says, “The medical team believes his muscle mass helped with his recovery.”

Not only did Steven suffer a TBI, but he also suffered several serious fractures. As a result, he spent five and half months in various medical facilities.

The first two months were at Vidant Medical. There, he was diagnosed with the TBI as well as an “open book” broken pelvis. He also had severe fractures to both of his wrists. Since the most severe injury was to his pelvis, his medical team performed a bridging device treatment using occipital cervical rods under the skin, with fixation into the iliac wings and parasymphyseal bone. This injury took eight weeks to heal. He also received care for his broken wrists. An external fixator was placed on his left wrist area and the right wrist was placed in a cast.

Once released from the hospital, Steven was an inpatient for two months in a long-term care facility while his fractured bones continued to heal. This was so that once he went to rehab, he’d be able to participate fully in therapy.

Lauren says, “From that point forward, Steven has made significant progress in his journey back to health.”

The Most Advanced Care Through WakeMed Rehabilitation Hospital and WakeMed Outpatient Rehabilitation

Upon discharge from long-term care, beginning June 2020, Steven spent 30 days at the WakeMed Rehabilitation Hospital. While he needed more rehab, his insurance only authorized 30 days of inpatient care per year, so after 30 days, Steven went into Outpatient Rehabilitation – Clayton moving back into inpatient rehab once per year in 30-day intervals.

Lauren says, “WakeMed Rehabilitation has been a godsend for our family. During that initial stay, I was able to remain informed of his progress while returning to some sense of normalcy. Also, since the hospital was local, it was easy to commute to visit with Steven during visitation periods.”

While in the WakeMed Rehabilitation Hospital, Steven received occupational therapy with Adele Ouegnin; physical therapy with Becky Marciszewski; and exoskeleton therapy with physical therapists, Caroline King and Blair Hobble, along with Clinical Aide Joe Jourdain.

Lauren says, “They were each amazing, and Joe was such a source of encouragement for Steven. They have a strong, positive rapport. It’s hilarious, honestly. They yell hello to each other down the hall when Steven is there to see Dr. O’Brien.”

Steven goes regularly to see Dr. Patrick O’Brien, MD, a WakeMed Community physician and physiatrist along with going to the Rehab Hospital once per year. Dr. O’Brien is a nerve, muscle and bone expert who treats injuries and illnesses that affect movement.

Lauren says, “This doctor is so personable and knows Steven as a patient, not a medical record number. He also knows my name and asks how I am doing which is amazing since I’m not even the patient. And, honestly, this is why we keep coming back to WakeMed — it’s the continuity of care and the positive rapport that we’ve built with the health care team. Everyone is so kind and friendly.”

Plans for a Wedding

In April 2022, Steven’s cognition and mobility were better, so the couple decided to set a date and plan a wedding. It just all made sense.

From their early introductions to their survival of life-threatening injury and their commitment to enjoying life despite the ups and downs, they knew they were meant for each other. But, more than that, Lauren felt prepared for her new normal with Steven.

Lauren says, “Before and during our relationship, I was a recreational therapist for ten years, so I understood Steven’s medical conditions and treatments. I was able to capitalize on my understanding of recovery after severe injury to support Steven’s progress and his continued hard work toward recovery.

“When Steven first came home from the hospital with the boys and I, my years of training kicked in. I explained to the boys that Steven would look different and sound different, so we would be doing things differently. My oldest son complained that we’d never be able to go anywhere or do anything. I validated his concerns, but shared that we would enjoy our lives, just with more planning. Since Steven has come home, we’ve gotten right back into it — going to the beach, mountains, Disney and on airplane rides. As a couple, we are committed to showing others that it is possible to live a full and happy life after injury.

Once Steven came home, Lauren transitioned out of recreational therapy and long-term care following ten years of service. She is now a clinical trial coordinator with a schedule that allows her the flexibility to support Steven in his ongoing recovery.

Wedding Preparations

Couples are concerned about many things when preparing for a wedding: the gown, the guests, the food, the venue. Yet, for Lauren and Steven, there was just one major wish for the wedding — that Steven could stand at the altar and walk out with his bride at the end of the ceremony.

The couple shared their desire with the WakeMed Rehab team, and Dr. O’Brien, Caroline and Blair got to work. Dr. O’Brien advocated for Steven’s authorization to use the exoskeleton. And, Caroline and Blair volunteered their free time for five solid weeks prior to the wedding — helping Steven get in and out of the exoskeleton and practice the routine for their big day.

Lauren says, “It was Steven’s only wish for the wedding. I’m grateful for WakeMed making this wish come true, so we could surprise our guests with this special moment.”

The Most Beautiful Day

On September 30, 2022, Steven and Lauren were married at The Farm at 42 in Selma, North Carolina, surrounded by 100 family, friends and therapists — who had become family and friends.

Lauren says, “We got to be the bridge to introduce the WakeMed inpatient team and the WakeMed outpatient team. I was like, ‘Thank you for your inpatient therapy and thank you for your outpatient therapy, and thank you all for helping to make this day happen.'”

During the ceremony, Steven went down the aisle to the altar in his wheelchair. While the bridal party came in, Steven, Blair and Caroline transitioned Steven into the exoskeleton right at the altar.

“Blair made it completely comfortable for me,” says Steven.

Then when “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” began to play, Lauren walked down the aisle with her dad, and Steven stood up to receive her. Steven and Lauren then sat in special chairs for the vows and stood together for the kiss.

Once it was time for the couple to walk back up the aisle, Blair came over and hid behind Steven for support as the couple walked hand-in-hand.

“You couldn’t even tell there was anyone back there while he walked in the exoskeleton,” says Lauren.

Steven says, “Lauren was so pretty.”

By the end of the recessional, Steven was overcome with emotion.

Lauren says, “Steven was definitely feeling and enjoying the moment. He was singing our recessional song by Savage Garden.”

A Promising Future

Since the wedding, Steven and Lauren have been settling into life together as a newly married couple. Steven will return to outpatient therapy with the Clayton team on November 7.

He says, “My next goal is to drive Lauren around in a car for 30 minutes.” It’s all about baby steps.

His ultimate plan for the future, however, is to walk again. In the meantime, the couple is planning their honeymoon, hopefully a romantic cruise.

Lauren says, “We haven’t slowed down since Steven was released from inpatient rehab. We continue to enjoy our lives together with each new adventure.”

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About WakeMed Rehabilitation

WakeMed Rehab includes a rehabilitation hospital for inpatients, a children’s rehabilitation hospital for pediatric patients and numerous outpatient rehab locations for those who are not in the hospital, but need physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, wound care and other services. It’s services are connected to form a smooth continuum of care for children, adults and their families to help patients regain mobility and independence.

WakeMed Rehabilitation Hospital

Located in Raleigh, NC at the Raleigh Campus, the WakeMed Rehabilitation Hospital is a 103-nationally recognized rehab hospital that serves patients throughout the southeastern United States. The WakeMed Rehab team of accomplished professionals specialize in treating adults, adolescents and children who have experienced a stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, orthopaedic issue, trauma or limb loss through CARF-accredited specialty programs and the use of the latest rehab technology. Patients receive the medical care they need to restore their health and the therapy services they need to improve their function and return to as normal a life as possible.

WakeMed Outpatient Rehab and Physical Therapy

WakeMed Outpatient Rehab offers the most comprehensive network of highly trained rehab professionals and specialty programs and services in the region. With more than 10 locations throughout Wake and Johnston counties, WakeMed Outpatient Rehab and Physical Therapy specialize in treating medically complex patients with multidisciplinary care including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, nutrition and neuropsychology, and the use of advanced rehab technology and equipment for a high-tech, high-touch experience.