Living with chronic pain can feel like an endless battle, but Steve Lovelace’s journey with arachnoiditis demonstrates that resilience, determination, and a positive mindset can transform even the most challenging circumstances into opportunities for growth and inspiration. Diagnosed in 2014 with arachnoiditis—a rare and extremely painful disease that ranks at the top of the pain scale—Steve’s life took an unexpected turn that forced him to leave his career as a traveling salesman and completely redefine his existence.
The journey began in 1982 with a devastating accident while cutting firewood. A tree split in half and came together on Steve, instantly paralyzing him from the waist down and causing multiple injuries including three crushed vertebrae. Though he recovered enough to walk again, defying doctors who said he never would, the seeds of his future condition were planted. It would take over three decades before the full impact of that injury manifested as arachnoiditis, with symptoms including progressive mobility challenges, muscle atrophy, loss of bowel and bladder function, and excruciating pain.
When his neurologist delivered the diagnosis with a somber “I’m sorry” and told him there was nothing they could do beyond medication management, Steve realized he was facing something rare and devastating. Instead of surrendering to this reality, he embarked on a journey to understand and manage his condition. Initially, he tried various pain medications, but eventually found himself “basically a zombie that was lying in bed still thrashing in pain.” Recognizing that the medications were doing more harm than good, he made the bold decision to quit cold turkey—against medical advice—which he describes as even more difficult than recovering from his original accident.
After the fog of medication cleared around 2017-2018, Steve experienced a moment of clarity that changed his perspective. He categorizes his days now as “good days, bad days, and survival days,” using each type of day strategically. On good and even bad days, he pushes himself physically through endurance sports, walking with forearm crutches, and riding his bike using ankle foot orthotics. On survival days, when the pain is too intense, he turns to journaling, reading, and other distractions to get through until the worst passes.
What makes Steve’s story particularly inspiring is how he’s transformed his challenge into purpose. Rather than allowing his diagnosis to define him, he’s become an advocate and inspiration for others. He’s currently writing a book about his experiences and aspires to become a motivational speaker, sharing his journey and the powerful mantra that guides him: “Don’t say I can’t, say I’ll try.” This mindset has led him to accomplish remarkable feats, such as completing a 5K with forearm crutches and training for a quarter marathon.
Steve’s approach to life with chronic pain offers valuable lessons for anyone facing adversity. He emphasizes the importance of acknowledging your condition while not letting it become central to your identity. He speaks openly about the emotional challenges, describing what he calls an “emotional dam” that can break if feelings are held back too long. Perhaps most powerfully, he frames his suffering as serving a greater purpose—if his story can inspire even one person to push beyond their perceived limitations, he considers it worthwhile.