Erik Schlake, a talented muralist from Fort Myers, Florida, has transformed a life-altering accident into an inspiring story of resilience and artistic determination. The local artist, who once delighted in carefully envisioning each painting before his brush ever touched the canvas, found his creative process dramatically changed after a devastating fall that left him with severe injuries and impaired vision.
One year ago, while working on a mural project inside a church, Schlake was positioned approximately 16 feet high on a ladder when disaster struck. The ladder suddenly slipped out from under him, sending him crashing to the ground in what would become a life-changing accident. The fall resulted in catastrophic injuries including seven broken ribs, the loss of most of his teeth, significant damage to his bottom lip, and severe trauma to his left eye that would impair his vision for nearly a year.
Rather than viewing these overwhelming physical setbacks as reasons to abandon his artistic career, Schlake chose to see the accident as an unexpected opportunity for growth and adaptation. "How am I going to pivot?" he asked himself during his recovery. "What direction can I go in?" This mindset became the foundation for what would become an extraordinary journey of perseverance and creative evolution.
With remarkable patience and unwavering determination, Schlake continued to paint even when he couldn't properly see his work for nearly twelve months. The idea of quitting his artistic pursuits never entered his mind, despite the enormous challenges he faced daily. "That's where I feel connected to other people is within the struggle," Schlake explained. "Within the struggle, I always look for the beauty and the positive part of that."
When asked about the source of his remarkable optimism in the face of such adversity, Schlake humbly attributes it to what he calls stubbornness. "I have been accused of being very stubborn," he said with characteristic humor. "Some call it optimism, others say stubbornness." This self-described stubborn streak proved to be exactly what he needed to navigate the most difficult period of his life and career.
The accident also revealed the incredible power of community support in times of crisis. Schlake's network of friends and fellow artists rallied around him during his recovery, offering both practical assistance and emotional encouragement. "I got a message from them saying, 'Hey, we understand you had an accident, if you can get over here, you've got a great place to come over here,'" he recalled with gratitude. This outpouring of support taught him valuable lessons about accepting help and the importance of maintaining strong community connections.
"Not only is it OK to ask for help, but it's important to have a community and connect with other people," Schlake reflected. "For that, I'll be forever grateful." This experience of leaning on others during his struggle helped strengthen his relationships and deepened his appreciation for the artistic community that surrounded him.
Schlake's philosophy when facing adversity is simple yet powerful: rather than accepting defeat, he believes in trying and potentially failing rather than not trying at all. His story demonstrates that it's possible to paint a new picture of one's life, even after devastating setbacks – one filled with hope, strength, and renewed purpose.
In a recent positive development, Schlake underwent eye surgery just last week, and thankfully his vision has mostly returned. He remains optimistic that his sight will be fully recovered soon, allowing him to return to the detailed mural work that he loves. His journey from devastating injury to renewed hope serves as an inspiring reminder that adversity can become the canvas for creating something beautiful and meaningful.
