Help Me Ride Again – Adaptive Bicycle Fundraiser

Hi, my name is Steve McLaughlin. I’m a husband, a father, and a friend. More than anything, I’m someone who has always lived life at full throttle.

I am humbly asking for your help.

The past two years have broken me in more ways than I can count. But they have also revealed something beautiful: the strength of love, the power of community, and the resilience of the human spirit.

Before my injury, I was the guy who never sat still. I was a dirt track race car driver with a passion for speed and competition, a hands-on outdoorsman who thrived in the open air. Whether it was tearing through trails on a four-wheeler, riding dirt bikes, casting a line out on the lake, paddling downriver in a kayak, or fixing up engines in my garage, I was always moving, always chasing adventure. Even the quieter moments throwing a ball for our dogs or watching a sunset after a long ride felt full of purpose. But more than any of that, I was a devoted family man. My greatest pride came from taking care of my wife and daughter and being present for them in every way.

But on July 31st, 2023, my life was forever changed.

While working, I was involved in a tragic workplace accident. I suffered a catastrophic spinal cord injury: fractures to C3, C4, and C5 vertebrae. I was rushed into emergency surgery and admitted to the ICU. When I woke up, I was told I was a quadriplegic. I had lost the ability to move from the neck down.

In an instant, I lost my independence, my mobility, and the life I once knew.

Since then, nothing has been easy. I now require 24/7 nursing care just to survive. I’ve undergone multiple surgeries, countless procedures, and extensive physical therapy. I’ve spent long, painful months in inpatient rehab centers far from home in Atlanta, GA. My family was forced to relocate temporarily while my home was made accessible for me. We’ve lived out of suitcases and hospital rooms for over a year. Only recently were we able to return home, where we’re slowly trying to build a new life around the limitations imposed by this injury.

But through all the challenges, pain, and loss, one thing has never changed: my determination.

I may no longer be able to hike rugged trails or ride a dirt bike across the open fields, but I haven’t stopped dreaming of getting outside again, of feeling the sun on my face and the wind in my hair. That dream now has a name: an adaptive bicycle.

This isn’t just any bike. Adaptive bikes for people with spinal cord injuries are custom-designed, high-tech pieces of equipment that allow individuals with limited or no mobility to ride using breath, head, or hand controls. They restore motion. They allow us to connect with the outdoors in a meaningful, physical way. And for people like me, they offer something even more valuable: a sense of purpose, freedom, and independence.

This is me trying out an off-road handcycle at an adaptive equipment demo day hosted by the IM ABLE Foundation:

Sadly, insurance companies don’t see it that way. They classify these bikes as “recreational” and not “medically necessary.” They don’t feel the need for me to have a life out of my wheelchair. But let me be clear - this bike isn’t just a luxury. For me, it’s a lifeline.

This bike means I can:

• Reconnect with nature and feel like part of the world again - not just a spectator Improve my physical health, circulation, and lung function in a safe, supported way

• Combat depression and isolation, which are daily battles in the world of paralysis

• Reclaim a piece of who I used to be—the active, outdoorsy man who lived boldly

• Spend real, joyful time with my wife and daughter outside of hospitals and appointments

• Show my daughter that even when life knocks you down, you fight to rise again

The total cost of this adaptive bike is almost $12,000 (!). Even with a generous $4,000 adaptive equipment grant from the Kelly Bush Foundation, the handcycle is still well out of reach for our family, given the overwhelming circumstances.

Every single dollar raised will go directly toward the purchase of this adaptive bike. If you are able to contribute, no matter the amount, I would be deeply and forever grateful. If you’re unable to donate, simply sharing my story could make all the difference.

Your support means the world to me.

Thank you for helping me chase motion, freedom, and hope.

Thank you for believing that life after paralysis can still be full of joy and purpose.

Thank you for helping me ride again.

With heartfelt gratitude, Steve & Family