Motocross wasn’t just a sport—it was my identity. On March 21, 2009, while riding my new Yamaha YZ450F, a crash during a jump left me with a devastating spinal injury. My C5 vertebra was crushed against my C6, damaging everything from C3 to C8. As I lay motionless, I knew my life had changed forever.

I was airlifted to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital and spent three months in the ICU. I was on a ventilator, battling pneumonia—and was resuscitated 17 times during my stay. But I survived. On my 18th birthday, still on a ventilator, I sang with nurses, family, and friends. I was still me.

At the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, I began rehabilitation in the adolescent unit. We attended Atlanta Braves games, visited a seven-story mall on a wheelchair-accessible tour bus, and went on incredible outings that reminded me what life could still hold. It was there I learned to stop comparing myself to others and embrace who I am.

That’s also where I weaned off the ventilator and spoke my first words again: “I love you.” I regained movement in my hand, designed my own wheelchair phone mount, and returned home after five and a half months.

I later pursued embryonic stem cell therapy in the Dominican Republic—treatments that helped restore sensation and partial arm movement. Alongside that, I’ve battled PTSD and memory loss, but I’ve never stopped moving forward.

The Birth of Side by Side Innovations, LLC!

This journey led me to a new mission: helping others reclaim joy and freedom in the outdoors. Side by Side Innovations, LLC was born from that dream.

I founded the company to make adaptive off-roading possible for people with disabilities—people like me who thought they’d never drive again. I fulfilled my own dream by getting behind the wheel of a Polaris RZR, and I want others to experience that same sense of independence.

Whether it's building custom solutions, designing adaptive equipment, or advocating for

At Side-by-Side Innovations, our speaking engagements are built on a collaborative and deeply personal approach. We connect with audiences by sharing real-life experiences that highlight the power of resilience and the reality of overcoming adversity. Our message is clear—life doesn’t stop after a life-changing obstacle; it demands adaptation, growth, and a new perspective. Through authentic storytelling, we inspire individuals, students, and organizations to push forward, embrace challenges, and unlock their full potential both personally and professionally.