North Shore Man Back on His Feet After Devastating Car Crash

This story was reported and written by Jeff Rumage.

Steve Hirst was an Air Force pilot at the pinnacle of his career, looking forward to a bright future with his wife and two daughters.

But in January 1996, the 36-year-old Whitefish Bay native's life plans were changed forever, when a patch of black ice sent his car careening into a light pole. 

The accident left him unable to speak or move the left half of his body.
"When I first got back from the hospital, I couldn't do anything," Hirst said. "I got very upset and decided to give up."

After about six months in bed, Hirst grew determined to turn his life around for the sake of himself, his wife and his daughters. 

But overcoming his physical limitations also meant redefining his expectations. Despite the diagnosis of Traumatic Brain Injury, Hirst was determined to reclaim his speaking voice and get back on his feet.

Hirst has since learned to speak, and through willpower and extensive physical training, is able to walk again. He exercises six days a week – lifting weights, riding an exercise bike and even running on the treadmill.

"I told myself I could do anything," he said. "I kept trying, and it finally worked. I don't know when or how but it worked." 

He has remained strong after an unrelated benign tumor was removed from his brain last year. He also had recent surgeries on his shoulder and knee.

"I keep trying, no matter what happens," he said. "Even when I had this surgery, I told myself, 'I can't quit now.'"

Although life has dealt him a difficult hand, Hirst has a smile on his face and cracks jokes during a recent conversation at his mother's home in Mequon. When asked if he had any advice for others with TBI, Hirst shared this piece of advice:

"Whatever you do, keep going," he said. "And don't give up on people either. Good friends will last forever."

Hirst is sharing his inspirational story with others in Still Standing, a memoir that he wrote with the help of editor Ann Ryan Solomon, a fellow 1977 Whitefish Bay High School graduate. Hirst said he hopes the book will create broader awareness of TBI, and give hope to others battling the disease.

Hirst's perseverance has also inspired his two daughters, Stephanie and Stacey. Stephanie, 27, is currently in the Air Force, and Stacey, 26, works with disabled adults and is soon headed to graduate school for public health.

Hirst, who lives in Colorado, returned home to grand marshal Whitefish Bay's Fourth of July parade.
 
The book is available for purchase on Amazon. A Facebook page has also been set up for fans of the book.