May 2026
Before he sustained his spinal cord injury, Djordje lived with a strong sense of independence. He loved spending time outdoors and working with his hands. A self-described “technically orientated person”, he was drawn to problem solving and building things. His day-to-day life was packed full of activity, constantly moving forwards.
In the summer of 1993, Djordje’s life suddenly changed. He was involved in a motorcycle accident, resulting in a C4-C5 spinal cord injury. The impact of sustaining a high-level spinal cord injury was devastating for Djordje, who was in his early teens at the time.
“My injury was sudden, and everything that followed was a long process of adjusting. The hospital phase was challenging, I had to learn new routines and adapt to limitations.
“Emotionally, the process took time. Accepting paralysis isn’t something that comes slowly, through support from others and discovering what is still possible. Over time, I developed a mindset that focuses on capability rather than loss.”
While Djordje faced difficulties in these early days, he moved through them by staying engaged with his interests. He kept himself grounded by creating, designing, and solving technical problems he encountered. He held on to the belief that he could still contribute something meaningful, helping him build resilience.
“Over time, I realised that progress comes from small, consistent steps. This mindset carried me through.”
Now, Djordje lives a productive and creative life. He works from home, designing assistive devices for others in similar situations. He is driven to share solutions with others to increase their independence.
“My home life is stable, supported by people who assist me when needed. My main hobbies revolve around engineering, 3D modelling and improving everyday accessibility. I enjoy creating devices that make life easier for others in situations like mine.”
Looking at the work Spinal Research is making possible, Djordje believes that research is progressing in the right direction. He describes himself as realistic, but hopeful. He doesn’t expect a single “cure” to be discovered, but rather a series of improvements that will give people with a spinal cord injury regained function, improvements to daily life, and dignity.
“With spinal cord injury, autonomic functions often return earlier than fine motor control. I’d expect that the first improvements might appear in bladder and bowel function. Regaining full control in that area would have an enormous impact on dignity, daily comfort and health.
“The return of finger function remains my deepest long-term wish. Even partial recovery would transform my life. It would dramatically shift my independence and reduce the level of assistance I rely on every day.
“Everything beyond these essential functions would feel like an unexpected gift.”
At Spinal Research, we will not stop until we achieve our goal of a future where paralysis can be cured. You can help make this possible for people like Djordje. Discover how you can get involved today.
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