Please enjoy this update from #HighFivesAthlete Nate White, 2 years after his accident
IN JUNE 2016, NATE WHITE WAS KAYAKING ON DAISY CREEK OUTSIDE OF CRESTED BUTTE, COLO., OVER THREE HOURS AWAY FROM HIS HOME IN CARBONDALE, COLO. THE WATER LEVEL AT THE CREEK WAS EXCEPTIONALLY LOW, AND UPON DROPPING OFF A SMALL ROCK ON THE RUN, WHITE LANDED ON A SUBMERGED ROCK, CAUSING HIM TO LOSE MOTION AND FEELING IN HIS LOWER EXTREMITIES.
WHITE WAS EXTRACTED AND FLOWN DIRECTLY TO SWEDISH MEDICAL CENTER IN DENVER, COLO. WHERE HE WAS TOLD THAT HE HAS SUFFERED A SPINAL CORD INJURY AT HIS L2 VERTEBRAE.
As time passes, I find that I have more gains to celebrate than losses to grieve. With the help of HighFives, I have worked with a personal trainer here in Carbondale, Colorado to get back into the sports that I lived for before my accident.#HighFivesAthlete Nate White
Words by Nate White
I have worked to develop the core strength so that now I can kayak at almost the same level as I was at before, padding class IV/V rivers with confidence. In January of 2018, I rode a two-wheeled back for the first time and now, 9 months later, I am riding the local single track. I am currently working with my trainer to be able to stand up on my pedals so I can hit the downhills more aggressively. I got the chance to visit the HighFives headquarters this summer and was inspired by all of the athletes, who, like me, are getting back into skiing, biking, paragliding, paddling, surfing, and the like. We all seem to share the love of going fast, which doesn’t seem to die with a life changing injury.
Next steps: I am planning an attempt to ski Mount Sopris (13.000ft) this year!
Thanks to all of those who have contributed to HighFives and thereby contributed to me getting to live life to the fullest.
