Steve’s Story

On Thurs, June 17, Steve was in a severe motorcycle accident while on a multi-state motorcycle trip.  The accident was in North Carolina. Medics on the scene made the decision to life-flight Steve to the nearest trauma hospital, in Asheville, North Carolina.

Steve fractured his c6 and c7 neck vertebrae. Steve currently has some feeling but no movement from his upper chest to his feet. He has partial use of arms/biceps; no fine motor movement in his fingers.

The doctor says that Steve has a 10% chance he’ll ever be able to regain any meaningful movement in his legs, however a definitive prognosis is still not established. It is clear that prognosis will play out over the months and years.

The entire family is surrounded by caring family and friends.

Car and letters can be sent to Steve at his rehabilitation facility, at:

Harborview Medical Center
Attn: Steve Ruetschle / Rm 457
325 Ninth Avenue
Seattle, WA 98104

» Click here to enter your well-wishes for Steve in the Guestbook
  • Sam Musni

    We are in agony with you. My family and I will get down on our knees and pray for Pastor Steve’s recovery and well-being as well as strength and encouragement for Michelle and the kids everyday!

  • rhon bautista

    Blessed Savior, we thank You that P. Steve’s first operation is safely past, and now he rest in Your abiding presence, relaxing every tension, releasing every care and anxiety, receiving more and more of Your healing life into every part of his being. In moments of pain, please give him strength, in times of weariness let him feel Your loving nearness and embrace. Amen.

  • Lindsay Van Sicklen

    I learned of your accident via Rhon and will be following your blog and lifting you and your family up to the Throne of Grace as I do so.

    Heavenly Father…. We know that You Alone are the Great Physician. Guide the hands and minds of earthly physicians as they treat Steve and show YOURSELF strong and mighty on Steve’s behalf. Be close to him and his entire family.

  • Wolswijk family

    We are all thinking and praying for you Steve and may our prayers be answered soon. Wolswijk family in US and Holland.

  • Amy Borst

    We do not know you, but we are friends of Jeremy and Jodi Durr and attend church with them. We are praying for you at this most difficult time. We serve an awesome God who is the ultimate physician and works miracles. We will be praying that God draws near to you in your time of need. We pray you feel his presence in the midst of darkness and that he will lay His hand on Steve and restore him to complete health! Cannot imagine what you are going through, but we know that He has a purpose for this accident and we will be praying He uses your family in a mighty way! God’s peace be with you!

    Amy Borst and Family