Faces Of Arachnoiditis

Steve Lovelace: Finding Purpose Beyond Pain

After a spinal injury led to Arachnoiditis, Steve turned a life of chronic pain into one of advocacy and achievement. Now a national paratriathlete and the voice behind Arachnoiditis Unfiltered, he’s inspiring others to fight back—and keep moving forward.

Emmalyn’s Fight for Every Tomorrow

At just 16, Emmalyn has endured over 60 brain and spinal surgeries for complex neurological conditions, including Arachnoiditis. Her strength and resilience continue to inspire as she recovers from her latest brain surgery and faces each day with courage.

Allan Schwartz: Called to Persevere

After a lifetime of chronic pain, failed treatments, and a devastating Arachnoiditis diagnosis, Allan shares his powerful journey of faith, resilience, and hope. Now wheelchair-bound, he remains committed to spreading awareness through his book Called to Persevere—a testament to enduring the unimaginable with purpose.

Scott Groves – From Patient to Peer Mentor
After his Arachnoiditis diagnosis, Scott rebuilt his life through holistic rehab and patient education. Today, he leads Hack Your Brain, Hack Your Pain, a free Zoom series sharing tools for chronic pain management and recovery through neuroplasticity, movement, and mindset.

Crippled, Chronic, and Unstoppable

Kaatje “Gotcha” Van Der Gaarden has faced decades of trauma, paralysis, and incurable pain—but her creativity and dark humor never gave up. From skydiving survivor to physician assistant to author of The Queen of Ketamine, her story is a fierce testament to surviving with soul.

The Man Who Fought to Remember
After a traumatic accident left Enoch with Arachnoiditis and memory loss, he faced the unimaginable—rebuilding not only his body but his identity. Through determination, hard work, and faith, Enoch reclaimed his memories and his life, becoming a source of strength for others walking the same path.