COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS RESIDENT TO RECEIVE CONTINUED SUPPORT FROM LAKE TAHOE-BASED HIGH FIVES FOUNDATION FOLLOWING SPINAL CORD INJURY
The High Fives Foundation is awarding Cody Walker an Empowerment Grant for $425 to be used toward a family membership at the Cottonwood Heights Recreation Center for use of the pool and the facilities.
While on a March 2013 snowboarding trip to Lake Tahoe with friends, 37-year-old Walker overshot a jump in the terrain park at Northstar Resort. The miscalculation caused him to land on his neck a number of feet beyond his intended landing area. The impact left Walker with fractures in his neck, both hips and the inability to move his extremities.
In the years following his accident, through intense rehabilitation, Walker has regained strength and motor skills in his legs and arms. He attributes much of his recovery to pool and recreational therapies that he has received in the Cottonwood Heights and Salt Lake City areas.
“With the help of High Fives Foundation, my goal remains the same; to keep up with my wife, kids and participate in all the activities that I grew up loving,” Walker said. “Over the years I’ve found swimming and biking to be the two most effective ways to regain strength and coordination, which have helped me work toward my ultimate goals.”
The February board-approved Empowerment Grant for $425 will provide Walker with a family membership to the Cottonwood Heights Recreation Center so that he can continue to work on his ongoing recovery
“Cody is a great example of a highly inspirational success story,” said Roy Tuscany, Executive Director of the High Fives Foundation. “He suffered a devastating spinal cord injury, and has never let that stand in the way of his priority to be the amazing father and husband that he is.”
The High Fives Foundation supports injured mountain action sports athletes through grant funding to be used towards reaching their recovery goals. Since the Foundation’s January 2009 inception, the Empowerment program service has assisted 147 athletes from 27 states in nine respective funding categories which include: living expenses, insurance, travel, health, healing network, adaptive equipment, winter equipment, programs and “stoke” (positive energy, outlook and attitude).
In Quarter 1 of 2017 the High Fives Foundation disbursed $119,294.50 in board-approved grants to 20 athletes in 6 states.
