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Steven Laux has by all accounts an average life, but not so fast. Voted the Best Dad on Wheels by the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation in 2012, Steve’s determination to live an “average” life post-injury has gotten him in the national spotlight, but if you ask him, he’s just doing his thing.
Why He’s Fearless
In 1998, when Steve was a senior at the University of Michigan, he decided to go on a camping trip to Lake Superior. While on the trip, he dove into the lake and broke his C5-6 vertebrae.
However Steve’s injury didn’t hold him back. After going to Craig Hospital for physical therapy, he returned to his studies at the University of Michigan within three months, where he finished his degree with his class. Next, he went to the renowned University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management, where he received his Masters in Business in Marketing.
With his degree, Steve landed an amazing job in marketing at Medtronic, the famous company headquartered that makes neurostimulators, pacemakers and Baclofen pumps. He also began to volunteer at the Courage Center at the same time, a rehabilitation center in Minneapolis.
While volunteering here, he met the woman who would change his life – Chau. After a whirlwind romance, they were married, and in 2009, their first child Mackenzie was born. Next, their twin daughters, Devon and Dakota, were born in 2011.
Thanks to these girls, Steve has found some of the most fulfilling happiness since his injury. His friends nominated him for the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation’s Best Dad on Wheels contest in 2012, which he won. The way he interacts with his kids, plays and has fun with them is incredibly endearing. Steve is definitely a big kid at heart.
What’s Next?
With his girls growing quickly, Steve is keeping busy as the president of the Minnesota Spinal Cord Injury Association, an organization he founded. Check out the organization. He helps organize a variety of events for the local SCI community, from peer support meetings to adaptive kayaking days.
Trained assistant dogs for people with disabilities have also had a huge impact on Steve’s life. He received one right after his injury, Clint, who was with him through several big life moments. He is a big supporter of the service animal organizations, Helping Paws (he’s volunteered here) and Best Buds Forever.
On paper, if you remove the fact that Steve’s paralyzed, his life would be average, and Steve would be happy if you thought that, but his injury did happen and he’s shown he has the determination of an ox. Steven Laux, average? That couldn’t be further from the truth.
ideas@spinalpedia.com
