Daniel Christiana’s journey to reshape the powersports world following near-death accident
At just 17-years-old, Daniel Christiana had his motocross dreams shattered by a life-changing spinal cord injury. Now, he’s working to give himself and others like him a chance to continue his lifelong passion.
In the immediate aftermath of an accident that nearly ended his life, Christiana was flown to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh, where he underwent more than 18 hours of reconstructive surgery.
He was resuscitated 17 times and was put on a ventilator just to survive.
After three months in the ICU unit, during which he was unable to be taken off the ventilator, Christiana was transferred to the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, a world-renowned hospital specializing in brain and spinal cord injuries.
Fortunately, his mind was completely intact, giving him and his parents some peace of mind as he began what would be a long road to recovery.
“I was kind of the center of attention because I’m a very outgoing person who is willing to share and help others,” he said of his time in the adolescent wing of the Shepherd Center. “A lot of people would come to my room or meet me in general just to talk.”
During his five months there, he slowly began to regain his personality by going on various trips to Atlanta Braves games and a 7-story shopping mall, complete with valet parking for a renovated tour bus that accommodated wheelchairs.
While there were plenty of challenges along the way, Christiana, now 34, managed to fight through all of them.
“My journey hasn’t been easy, but I’m still dreaming of fully regaining the use of my hands one day,” he said.
Where others might have seen plenty of reasons to give up hope, he saw an opportunity to thrive while continuing a lifelong passion.
More than 16 years later, the Slippery Rock native founded a company, Side by Side Innovations, and has turned his personal comeback into a goal to design adaptive vehicles that put outdoor adventure back within reach for those dealing with physical disabilities.
“Our mantra is to help people with disabilities get back on the trails and just experience life out of the wheelchair or hospital bed,” he said. “Whether you have a physical disability or injury or whatever it may be, I think what we’re striving to do is definitely feasible, practical and something that is needed in this world.”
What began as a personal challenge — to regain his independence and reconnect with the outdoors — evolved into a business with a bold vision. After five years of extensive work, Christiana officially established his company in February.
Christiana modified a Polaris RZR, a popular off-road vehicle, to accommodate his own mobility needs, engineering a custom setup that gave him the freedom to ride again.
It wasn’t just about an adrenaline rush, either. He was on a mission to rediscover his autonomy and reignite a passion that was nearly taken away from him for good.
“I think my drive is what inspired me,” he said. “Since the day I got out (of the hospital) there hasn’t been a thing on my mind that doesn’t have to do with getting back off-road.”
Once he proved it was possible for himself, he knew he had to make it possible for others.
The modified steering systems in his revamped vehicles will be available for people with and without disabilities.
As the demand for accessible outdoor recreation continues to grow, Christiana noted that there’s untapped potential for companies like Polaris to take the lead.
By partnering with adaptive innovators, Christiana has accelerated his own company’s growth by partnering with other businesses — such as Gagliardi Machine, Benjamin Beetle, Big Dog RC and Stone Brothers Construction — all of which are local to Western Pennsylvania.
Other nonprofits around the country like SOAR (Swift Outdoor Accessible Recreation) based out of Illinois, have also given thousands of dollars to Christiana’s mission.
Christiana explained that those funds are going toward admission fees for events and sponsorship wraps for his vehicles.
He said all of them have had a profound impact in welcoming more people into the powersports industry.
“I show their logo and message on my vehicle,” he said. “In return, they’ve supported us — either monetarily, with supplies or by helping out in other ways.”
For Christiana, his mission is clear: Everyone should have an opportunity to experience the freedom to be on an open trail — even when faced with extraordinary circumstances.
He said the outpouring of support over the years from his family, friends and contemporaries has been instrumental in helping him carry out his goals.
“I’ve learned that patience goes a long way, especially when someone has to do literally everything for you,” he said. “Even if you’re not disabled, patience, kindness, forgiveness, consideration and collaboration goes a long way with people and a lot longer than some may realize. In my personal opinion, the more humble you can be, the better person you can be.”
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Daniel Christiana, who suffered a major accident that left him paralyzed in several parts of his body, tests out an ATV he designed and modified for people with disabilities, in a field near his home in Slippery Rock on Sunday, May 25, 2025. Christiana is attempting to start up his own company, Side by Side Innovative, that will provide modified vehicles such as ATVs and 4-wheelers for people with disabilities. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Daniel Christiana, who suffered a major accident that left him paralyzed in several parts of his body, tests out an ATV he designed and modified for people with disabilities, in a field near his home in Slippery Rock on Sunday, May 25, 2025. Christiana is attempting to start up his own company, Side by Side Innovative, that will provide modified vehicles such as ATVs and 4-wheelers for people with disabilities. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Daniel Christiana, who suffered a major accident that left him paralyzed in several parts of his body, tests out an ATV he designed and modified for people with disabilities, in a field near his home in Slippery Rock on Sunday, May 25, 2025. Christiana is attempting to start up his own company, Side by Side Innovative, that will provide modified vehicles such as ATVs and 4-wheelers for people with disabilities. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Daniel Christiana, who suffered a major accident that left him paralyzed in several parts of his body, tests out an ATV he designed and modified for people with disabilities, in a field near his home in Slippery Rock on Sunday, May 25, 2025. Christiana is attempting to start up his own company, Side by Side Innovative, that will provide modified vehicles such as ATVs and 4-wheelers for people with disabilities. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Daniel Christiana, who suffered a major accident that left him paralyzed in several parts of his body, tests out an ATV he designed and modified for people with disabilities, in a field near his home in Slippery Rock on Sunday, May 25, 2025. Christiana is attempting to start up his own company, Side by Side Innovative, that will provide modified vehicles such as ATVs and 4-wheelers for people with disabilities. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Daniel Christiana, who suffered a major accident that left him paralyzed in several parts of his body, tests out an ATV he designed and modified for people with disabilities, in a field near his home in Slippery Rock on Sunday, May 25, 2025. Christiana is attempting to start up his own company, Side by Side Innovative, that will provide modified vehicles such as ATVs and 4-wheelers for people with disabilities. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Daniel Christiana, who suffered a major accident that left him paralyzed in several parts of his body, tests out an ATV he designed and modified for people with disabilities, in a field near his home in Slippery Rock on Sunday, May 25, 2025. Christiana is attempting to start up his own company, Side by Side Innovative, that will provide modified vehicles such as ATVs and 4-wheelers for people with disabilities. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Daniel Christiana, who suffered a major accident that left him paralyzed in several parts of his body, tests out an ATV he designed and modified for people with disabilities, in a field near his home in Slippery Rock on Sunday, May 25, 2025. Christiana is attempting to start up his own company, Side by Side Innovative, that will provide modified vehicles such as ATVs and 4-wheelers for people with disabilities. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Daniel Christiana, who suffered a major accident that left him paralyzed in several parts of his body, tests out an ATV he designed and modified for people with disabilities, in a field near his home in Slippery Rock on Sunday, May 25, 2025. Christiana is attempting to start up his own company, Side by Side Innovative, that will provide modified vehicles such as ATVs and 4-wheelers for people with disabilities. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Daniel Christiana, who suffered a major accident that left him paralyzed in several parts of his body, tests out an ATV he designed and modified for people with disabilities, in a field near his home in Slippery Rock on Sunday, May 25, 2025. Christiana is attempting to start up his own company, Side by Side Innovative, that will provide modified vehicles such as ATVs and 4-wheelers for people with disabilities. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Daniel Christiana, who suffered a major accident that left him paralyzed in several parts of his body, tests out an ATV he designed and modified for people with disabilities, in a field near his home in Slippery Rock on Sunday, May 25, 2025. Christiana is attempting to start up his own company, Side by Side Innovative, that will provide modified vehicles such as ATVs and 4-wheelers for people with disabilities. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Daniel Christiana, who suffered a major accident that left him paralyzed in several parts of his body, tests out an ATV he designed and modified for people with disabilities, in a field near his home in Slippery Rock on Sunday, May 25, 2025. Christiana is attempting to start up his own company, Side by Side Innovative, that will provide modified vehicles such as ATVs and 4-wheelers for people with disabilities. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Daniel Christiana, who suffered a major accident that left him paralyzed in several parts of his body, tests out an ATV he designed and modified for people with disabilities, in a field near his home in Slippery Rock on Sunday, May 25, 2025. Christiana is attempting to start up his own company, Side by Side Innovative, that will provide modified vehicles such as ATVs and 4-wheelers for people with disabilities. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Daniel Christiana, who suffered a major accident that left him paralyzed in several parts of his body, tests out an ATV he designed and modified for people with disabilities, in a field near his home in Slippery Rock on Sunday, May 25, 2025. Christiana is attempting to start up his own company, Side by Side Innovative, that will provide modified vehicles such as ATVs and 4-wheelers for people with disabilities. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Daniel Christiana, who suffered a major accident that left him paralyzed in several parts of his body, tests out an ATV he designed and modified for people with disabilities, in a field near his home in Slippery Rock on Sunday, May 25, 2025. Christiana is attempting to start up his own company, Side by Side Innovative, that will provide modified vehicles such as ATVs and 4-wheelers for people with disabilities. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
