ATHLETE OF THE WEEK | ARASH BAYATMAKOU

#HighFivesAthlete ARASH BAYATMAKOU shares some exciting news!

IN 2012 ARASH FELL FROM A THIRD STORY BALCONY OF AN APARTMENT BUILDING, LANDED ON HIS NECK BREAKING THE C5-C6 VERTEBRAE AND SUFFERED A SPINAL CORD INJURY. ARASH WAS INSTANTLY PARALYZED FROM THE CHEST DOWN, AND WAS RUSHED TO SURGERY A COUPLE DAYS LATER. IN SURGERY, THEY FUSED HIS SPINE BETWEEN C4-C7 WITH TITANIUM RODS AND SCREWS. SOON AFTER SURGERY ARASH WAS DIAGNOSED AS A C7 INCOMPLETE ASIA B SPINAL CORD INJURY. IN ARASH’S QUEST TO GET STRONGER, GAIN BACK FUNCTION, BE OUTDOORS (LIKE HE USED TO ALL THE TIME), AND ENJOY LIFE, HE WOULD LIKE TO PARTAKE IN A NEW ACTIVITY, SPECIFICALLY A WINTER SPORT. ARASH’S GIRLFRIEND IS AN AVID CROSS-COUNTRY SKIER. WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THE HIGH FIVES FOUNDATION HE IS ON HIS WAY TO REALIZING HIS GOAL OF JOINING HER IN THAT SPORT.

Photo on 9-28-17 at 12.37 PM

“Hello my High Fives friends,

I want to share exciting news that I just published my book!
 
It’s an honest and inspirational account of my journey from my SCI, through 2 years of rehab, and culminating with me standing up on the shores of Tahoe to propose to Brita, my now wife. (Similar to my TED talk, below)
 
Much like Grant Korgan’s book inspired and motivated me when I was in the hospital, I hope my book can do the same. Obviously, it applies to anyone with a SCI and their families, but it’s also relevant to the general public as there is a lot that relates to all of us as we make our way through life.
 
I’ve poured my heart into this for the last 3 years and would love to get the message out to others who like me have been through the craziness of this injury.”

You can purchase his book HERE

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