Sam's Accident
2016
In April 2016 Sam broke his neck at the C5-C6 level after playing with his friends and falling out of a hammock. He grew up as an avid surfer and skateboarder, and his life changed overnight. 2016 was also the year Katarina was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that altered her life path as well.
Sam discovered photography
2017
Sam found a creative outlet and new way to interact with the things he used to do physically. Sam has had four film premieres throughout central Florida and has his Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate for drone videography.
Sam & his sister started converting a bus
2019
In an effort to allow Sam to travel again even with a disability, they began converting a wheelchair accessible school bus. Special Skoolie was born.
Katarina began converting a van
2020
After her autoimmune diagnosis everything changed. She changed her career from stressful management consulting to graphic design. Working part time and remotely, she found balance and happiness again.
2020
Katarina & Sam Met
It was the beginning of Covid and they social distanced dated on Sam’s front porch for the first few weeks. Falling in love was effortless. They knew this was something special.
Katarina reconnected with her art
2021
Katarina had always been artistic and it runs in her family. After suppressing her art for years, thinking is wasn’t a realistic way to make a living, she fell back in love with something her soul knew she needed all along.
Traveled through the southeast
2022
Katarina, Sam, and his sister, Alex, traveled through the southeast while sharing caregiving duties, meeting up with friends, and exploring the great outdoors in ways Sam hadn’t been ableto since his accident.
Engaged & Bought a house
2023
After Alex pursued her own business, they sold the bus and priorities shifted. While Sam and Katarina still desire to travel, they knew they wanted to put down roots first. They found a fixer upper to make accessible and closed on the house in October. Sam popped the question a few days later on a gorgeous hike at Katarina’s favorite park.
Home renovations
2024
Home renovations aren’t for the faint of heart! Thanks to our family and community support we’ve made progress! We now have a fully accessible primary bathroom, which allowed Sam to finally move in.
But we have a long way to go - a new roof, accessible kitchen, and hopefully a pool lift. BUT we are determined to create a nourishing space that is 100% accessible, and built on love and perseverance.
What's in store for us in 2025?
The Adventure Continues
Our story is far from over—this is just the beginning! We're diving headfirst into new creative projects, (not one, but TWO documentaries in the works), sharing our adventures as an interabled couple, and documenting our accessible home renovation journey.
Follow us on YouTube for real, raw, and often ridiculous glimpses into our day-to-day lives, behind-the-scenes moments, and our upcoming documentaries.