STEPHEN BOWLES: drummer, The Lord Almightys (thelordalmightys.bandcamp.com)
I broke my back 10 years ago, and it dramatically changed my life. I was working in concert production at the time we were unloading equipment off a truck, and it fell onto me and pinned me to the road. I was 26 years old, and it made me the most vulnerable I’d ever been.
It basically changed everything. It entirely blew my perspective out of the water. I was very dependent on those around me, and that made me a lot more empathetic and able to take time with people in a way that I wouldn’t have before. It could be the most simple thing. Before, when crossing the street, I’d be upset if someone ahead of me was going slowly, taking time out of my day, but now I realize I don’t know what it took for them to get to this point and I should honour the fact that they’re here.
The accident also made me pretty emotional, which wasn’t part of my life before. I find myself being a lot more open to feelings, which I guess is what happens when you’re cut down to size.
The recovery process is something that doesn’t ever reach a finite end. It’s changed everything I do in my life, and I’m cautious all the time. I’m now the person who will follow the rules and double-cross the t’s and dot the i’s when it comes to preparing to do anything including being physical or engaging in any activities.
Once, I was talking with my doctor about wearing a body brace less and less, and we discussed a date in the future when I wouldn’t be wearing it at all. I said, “So then I’ll be totally fine?” And she kind of scoffed and said, “You’ll never be as fine as someone who hasn’t broken their back. Your health is in your hands.” That stuck with me.
I started getting my tattoos in Toronto in the late 90s. That was a time when I was getting in touch with my own identity separate from who I’d been growing up. I was self-actualizing the next chapter in my life and embracing how I wanted to look. I’ve always been drawn to that style and, while tattoos have certainly become more mainstream, they still retain a bit of that outsider culture. I tend to gravitate toward people like myself who are strong-minded and independent, who carve life out in their own fashion. Tattoos happen to be part of that, at least for me.
My tattoos mix aesthetics and deep meaning. I have a tattoo on my arm that’s a tribute to Mom, and she doesn’t even know about it. But I also got some of them because they look cool. However, I don’t subscribe to the idea of inking a slogan on your body that you feel super-deeply about, because in 10 years your mind will likely change.
