We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Amber Cogbill. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Amber below.

Amber, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you tell us the backstory behind how you came up with the idea?

Neven and I started posting on our TikTok account because, in the early days of going through his spinal cord injury, we had so many questions—about intimacy, future children, and just life in general. We were constantly wondering what our future would look like and how we’d still be able to do things we once loved. But when we searched for answers, there was almost nothing out there that truly reflected our experience or gave us the kind of guidance we were looking for.

After a year of really learning about the injury, adapting to our new normal, and making sure we actually knew what we were talking about, we decided to start sharing our story. Our hope was that by being open and honest, we could help someone who was newly injured—someone who, like us in the beginning, felt lost and overwhelmed. We wanted to create the kind of resource we wished we had, something real, raw, and full of practical insight.

As we started posting, we realized just how many people needed this kind of content. The response was overwhelming, and it became clear that what we were doing wasn’t just important—it was necessary. That’s when we knew this could be more than just a passion project; it could be a platform for real change.

Amber, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

On November 26, 2022, Neven crashed on his dirt bike and broke his T6 and T7 vertebrae, resulting in a spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed from about the nipple line down. At the time of his accident, we had only been dating for five months. Our entire world changed in an instant, and we were thrown into a reality that neither of us had ever imagined.

As we navigated the early days of his injury, we quickly realized how little information was available online about spinal cord injuries—especially from people actually living with them. We had so many questions about what life would look like, from intimacy and future children to independence and everyday activities. While we were still in rehab at Craig Hospital in Colorado, we talked about starting a social media page to share what we were learning, but we kept putting it off. It was always an idea, but we weren’t sure where to start or if anyone would even care.

Then, one random Wednesday or Thursday in March of 2024, I got home from work around 5:30 PM, grabbed my phone, and told Neven, “We’re starting a TikTok page—right now.” No more waiting. No more overthinking. Our content would be based around a simple concept: “Question of the Day.” We would post a video every single day answering questions about paralysis, sharing our story, and being as real and honest as possible about this journey.

From that moment on, everything changed. We quickly realized how many people out there had the same questions we did in the beginning, and how much of a difference it made to have a space where these conversations were happening. Our platform became a place of education, awareness, and connection—not just for those with spinal cord injuries but for their partners, families, and even people who had never thought about life with paralysis before.

What sets us apart is our firsthand experience. We don’t just talk about spinal cord injuries from an outsider’s perspective—we live it every single day. We share both the highs and the lows, the real struggles and the unexpected joys. Our goal is to create the resource we wish we had in the beginning: a space where people can find answers, feel less alone, and see that life after a spinal cord injury doesn’t have to mean the end of adventure, love, or happiness.

What we’re most proud of is the community we’ve built. Every time someone tells us that our content helped them, that they feel more hopeful about their future, or that they finally found answers they’ve been searching for, it reaffirms why we started this in the first place.

For anyone new to our platform, the main thing we want you to know is that we are here to educate, to support, and to break down the misconceptions surrounding spinal cord injuries. Whether you’re newly injured, a caregiver, a partner, or just someone who’s curious, we’re here to show you what life with paralysis really looks like—and to prove that even after something as life-altering as an SCI, you can still build a beautiful, fulfilling life.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

You have to be consistent, consistent, consistent—that is the key to success on social media. Post every day, put the time and effort into it. Even if you only get five likes in the beginning, don’t get discouraged, because eventually, that turns into 10 likes, then 20, and before you know it, your consistency pays off.

Be yourself. Be open and honest about what you’re talking about. People connect with authenticity. We had a clear mission of wanting to help people, and we never expected to gain such a big following when we started—that might have contributed to our success as well.

Your goal shouldn’t just be to rack up likes and followers. Your goal should be to educate, motivate, and influence in a meaningful way. For us, it was about helping other young couples or individuals who feel lost after a newly sustained spinal cord injury. When you focus on why you’re creating content rather than just chasing numbers, the right audience will find you.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

One thing that non-creatives might struggle to understand about our journey is the level of vulnerability it takes to share our lives so openly. Because we’re 100% real on our page, we sometimes get negative comments from people who think we’re sharing too much—whether it’s about intimacy, independence, or the personal details of living with a spinal cord injury.

We’ve talked about how Neven uses meditation to be intimate with me, and we’ve even shared the exact medication that helps. We’ve shown resources that make intimacy more accessible for people with SCIs, like the IntimateRider, which allows for more positioning. We’ve openly discussed what it takes for us to have kids in the future, including using a medical-grade vibrator to trigger Neven’s reflex and retrieve his swimmers. We’ve talked about how he goes to the restroom and how we manage daily life with paralysis.

Some people comment things like, “We don’t need to know this,” or, “Why are you sharing so much of your personal life?” But what they don’t understand is that we’re not posting for them. We’re posting for the young adults who are newly injured, feeling lost, and looking for answers. These are the things we wished someone had talked about when we were in that position.

Our goal isn’t just to share for the sake of sharing—it’s to educate, support, and provide real, honest information for the people who need it. And if that means being vulnerable and opening ourselves up to a handful of negative comments, it’s worth it if we’re able to help even one person struggling with the same questions we once had.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Amber.cogbill
• Other: TikTok main : ambercogbill03
  TikTok my personal page: amber_cogbill
  TikTok Nevens personal page: nevenhart