Protect Sam & Katarina’s Accessible Home with a New Roof

We’re reaching out to ask for your support for our dear friends, Sam and Katarina. They are an incredibly hardworking and inspiring couple who have spent the past year renovating their first home with a wheelchair-accessible bathroom and bedroom built with a whole lot of grit. Our paths crossed a few years ago when I offered to help with their accessible bathroom renovation.

You may know Sam as a gifted photographer and filmmaker who, despite being a C5 quadriplegic after a life-changing accident, works consistently to capture stories and uplift his community through his art. Katarina, a talented artist and graphic designer, has been by his side since they met in early 2020. Together, they share their life as an interabled couple to raise awareness, break down stigma, and offer hope to others navigating similar paths.

While they’ve poured their hearts (and savings) into making their home accessible, they’ve now hit a major roadblock—their roof needs to be replaced before hurricane season. Like many Florida homes a new roof will ensure their home remains a safe haven, especially after all the time and effort they’ve put into in the last year.

Last year, after nearly five years of living apart due to a lack of accessible housing, Sam and Katarina were finally able to move in together. They purchased a house and completed a year-long renovation creating a fully accessible bedroom and bathroom. With help from friends and family, they’ve also transformed the backyard into a wheelchair accessible patio where Sam can enjoy the outdoors.

Their roof is over 17 years old and leaking, causing damage to their chimney, fireplace, and sunroom. While they were able to replace the chimney cap, the full roof and gutters are a much bigger expense—quoted at $27,070.00 and $1,800.00, respectively. It’s a necessary and urgent fix to protect the home they’ve worked so hard to make safe. The goal is to raise $30,000 to replace the roof and gutters on their home. A gigantic thanks for Joe Mckenna at Sun State Solar & Roofing for the generous quote and patience on this project.

Like many families navigating life after spinal cord injury, their yearly cost of living is incredibly high. For someone with a C5 injury like Sam’s, the average cost in the first year is $989,768, with ongoing yearly costs averaging $145,918. Sam and Katarina currently cover home modifications, specialized equipment, and all living expenses out of pocket while Katarina works as a graphic designer and Sam’s fulltime caregiver. They’re moving forward piece by piece, but the roof is a big hurdle they need help with.

Sam and Katarina use their voices and creativity to educate, advocate, and inspire others, they can always be found with a smile and positivity. Now, they need a little help from the community they’ve always supported. Every donation—big or small—will go directly toward replacing their roof and protecting their home for years to come.

If you can’t donate, please consider sharing this campaign to help spread the word.

Thank you so much for your kindness and support!