History. Hero. Heartache. Hope. Every High Fives Athlete has a story. A story of where they came from, who inspired them, the challenges they’ve faced, and what keeps them moving forward. At High Fives Foundation, we have a tradition of sharing our athletes’ stories through the 4 H’s: History, Hero, Heartache, and Hope. These four … Read more
High Fives athlete Atli Bokstrom (#946) recently reached an incredible milestone in his recovery journey, successfully completing his Arcade Belt Goal of snowboarding in the backcountry for a full day. For Atli, the achievement wasn’t just about riding a snowboard again. It was about reconnecting with the mountains and experiencing the feeling that first inspired … Read more
At High Fives Foundation camps, the goal is always the same…bring athletes together, build confidence on snow, and create a sense of community that extends far beyond the mountain. During a recent adaptive ski camp, Justin Hirshfield played a special role in making that happen, both on the slopes and in the kitchen. Born in … Read more
The High Fives Foundation is incredibly proud to stand behind the 15 athletes we have supported across five sports as they represent their countries in Italy at the 2026 Paralympic Games. From alpine skiing and cross-country skiing to snowboard and wheelchair curling, these athletes are stepping onto the international stage with grit, talent, and determination. … Read more
Our 2025 High Fives Athlete of the Year, Ryan McLaren, is taking his next big step…running for Lieutenant Governor of Vermont. View his website HERE. Ryan’s story is one we know well at High Fives Foundation: set a goal, do the work, and keep moving forward, no matter the obstacles. His run for Lieutenant Governor … Read more
A snapshot of the athletes who make up our community. Behind every grant, camp, and high five is a unique athlete story but when you zoom out, some pretty fun patterns start to appear. Here’s a look at a few standout stats from the High Fives Foundation athlete database that highlight just how connected this … Read more
Athlete #905 Patricia Fonstad Arcade Belt Goal: I will be able to ride the Trans Canada Trail (aka The Legacy Trail) from Canmore to Banff townsite and back There are many different stages of enjoyment that come through both our High Fives Empowerment Fund and Arcade Belt Goal program, and they are closely intertwined. It … Read more
On August 28–29, two High Fives Athletes — Brian Noonan and Alina Petrik — took to the water for our first-ever adaptive rafting camp on the South Fork of the American River. Hosted by ETC River Camp / Environmental Traveling Companions, this two-day adventure was all about pushing limits, soaking up sunshine, and riding some … Read more
High Fives Athlete #283, Alex Uppenkamp, has turned a life-changing injury into a journey of resilience and rediscovery. Just before leaving for college at Humboldt State University, Alex attempted a 30-foot step-up jump on his mountain bike in San Diego. He overshot, went over the handlebars, and sustained a C3 complete spinal cord injury. With … Read more
