When he was younger, Steve enjoyed playing bass guitar and singing in bands. He eventually followed in his father’s footsteps and became a flooring salesman for a retail store and a carpet installer in Bloomington, Illinois.
He dedicated many years to the floor covering industry until he suffered a stroke in 2019. The stroke caused weakness in the right side of his body including difficulty speaking and trouble swallowing. The devastating effects put a hold on Steve's career, as he now requires 24/7 assistance. Thankfully he has his wife, Jana.
The aftermath also caused financial stress on the couple since his wife was unable to work due being his primary caregiver. The couple was directed to the Floor Covering Industry Foundation by Steve's employer. The Floor Covering Industry Foundation was able to assist the family by providing a grant for medical care and household expenses such as mortgage, food, utilities, and transportation costs.
Steve's wife shared, “This grant has enabled Steve and I to continue to lead our lives as normally as possible, with the hope for improvement so I can get back to work.”