Growing Up In Imperial Valley
Neven has spent his entire life in Southern California, in a little farm town called Imperial Valley. It’s a unique place—small but tightly connected, made up of several cities within a 15-mile radius. It’s about as far south as you can go in California, just 10 minutes from the Mexico border. Agriculture is huge there, and growing up, he was always surrounded by farming, wide-open spaces, and an appreciation for the outdoors.
Being the youngest with two older brothers, Neven was always trying to keep up with them. From an early age, he loved being outside—hunting, fishing, and exploring the desert and river scene. Wrestling was another huge part of his life, shaping him with discipline, strength, and resilience—qualities that would later help Neven face his toughest challenge.
“It’s [The Trackchair®] given me back a sense of independence—allowing me to do everything from hiking to working on cars to something as simple yet meaningful as standing up to hug Amber.”
The Passion For Dirt Bikes And Racing
“I had always been drawn to dirt bikes, but my parents were hesitant to let me ride due to safety concerns.” Instead, Neven focused on wrestling throughout high school. But after graduating, he finally got his own bike and quickly became immersed in the world of off-road racing. He started competing in the District 38 series, spending nearly all his free time in the desert, chasing adrenaline and pushing his limits.
The Crash That Changed Everything
On November 26, 2022, during a Thanksgiving weekend ride, Neven’s life took a sudden turn. After a long ride with his fiancée Amber’s family, he decided to go out again with some friends. “Just 30 seconds after taking off, I crashed. I was knocked out and don’t remember exactly what happened. But when I woke up, I immediately knew—I was paralyzed.” He had suffered a T6-T7 complete spinal cord injury due to a compression fracture, requiring spinal fusion from T4 to T8. It took two hours for a helicopter to reach him.
Finding A New Purpose
Before his injury, Neven had considered a career in law enforcement, but his time at Craig Hospital shifted his perspective. “Many therapists don’t fully understand what spinal cord injury patients went through. That’s when I decided to pursue a degree in psychology, with the goal of becoming a counselor for others facing similar challenges.” He’s since graduated from junior college and plans to continue to a university for his master’s degree once Amber and him settle down after their big move out of California.
Sharing Our Story
After Neven’s injury, him and Amber found themselves searching for answers but struggling to find resources for young couples navigating spinal cord injuries. About a year after his accident, Amber came home from work and said, “We’re posting a TikTok today.”
What started as a way to educate their family on his injury soon grew into something bigger. People asked questions like, How do you go to the restroom? How do you get dressed? Is Amber your caretaker? —so they answered them. “We show the realities of life with a spinal cord injury, from everyday tasks to relationship dynamics, and our content took off.” Now, they share their journey on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, helping others see that life doesn’t stop after an injury.
Regaining Independence With The Trackchair®
Growing up, the outdoors was everything to Neven—hunting, fishing, desert rides, and river trips. After his injury, sand became one of his biggest obstacles. But during a visit to Craig Hospital, he was introduced to the Trackchair®, an all-terrain wheelchair that would change his life.
With support from Craig Hospital, the Kelly Brush Foundation, his community, and a GoFundMe campaign, the funds were raised to get his own Trackchair®. Now, he can navigate hills, trails, and sand, making outdoor adventures possible again. “It’s given me back a sense of independence—allowing me to do everything from hiking to working on cars to something as simple yet meaningful as standing up to hug Amber.”
Looking Ahead: Life, Love And The Future
Amber and Neven are getting married in February 2026, and they plan to start a family soon after. “We’re working toward buying our first home and continuing to share our journey to help others navigating spinal cord injuries.”
“This injury doesn’t define me. Life looks different now, but it’s still mine to live—and I’m making the most of it.”
Trackchairs in the Wild is a blog series by Trackchair that shares inspiring stories of real customers unlocking adventure and embracing freedom through their all-terrain wheelchairs. Share your inspiring story with us by contacting us here: