The Winter Empowerment program service disburses board approved grants to disabled winter action sports athletes participating in winter adaptive sports or athletes recovering from a life-altering injury. In March, the Foundation’s Board of Directors Grant Selection Committee approved two grants for two athletes totaling close to $25,000.00. The grant to High Fives Athlete Dominic Prado … Read more
Congratulations to High Fives Athlete Sally Francklyn on her return to the sport of skiing. Go Sally! Sally Francklyn is a ski patroller with 10 years experience, as well as a recognized expert on social media, public relations, and online editing for major ski industry clients. After taking an 850 foot fall on “Once is Enough” in the … Read more
On Thursday, March 20, 2014 the High Fives Foundation helped Grant Korgan return to the sport of skiing with a board-approved grant! The incredibly talented Grant took to learning the nuances of using a sit-ski at Disabled Sports USA – Far West at Alpine Meadows under the tutelage of the incomparable Bill Bowness. With the … Read more
High Fives to Josh Dueck for bringing home a gold medal in the Men’s GS Super Combined and a silver medal in the Men’s Downhill at the 2014 Paralympic Games in Sochi Russia! About Josh Dueck: Josh sustained a spinal cord injury in 2004 in a ski accident, leaving him completely paralyzed from the waist down. … Read more
Congratulations to High Fives Athlete Keith Gabel for being part of a U.S. sweep in the first-ever Paralympic snowboard cross event. He won bronze behind teammates Evan Strong, who won gold, and Mike Shea, who earned silver. “It is a true honor [to be a part of the sweep],” Gabel said. “I couldn’t be more proud … Read more
High Fives Athlete Andrew Kurka was poised for a great run at making the podium at the 2014 Paralympic Games in Sochi, Russia when in a training run, Andrew crashed and broke his back (again). Best of luck to Andrew for fast recovery! NBC affiliate KTUU (NBC 2) of Anchorage, Alaska gave provided this update: … Read more
Since 2010 Kendel has suffered a pair of injuries that have affected her greatly, causing unpredictable convulsions. In 2010 Kendel broke her pelvis, and in February of 2013 Kendel suffered a traumatic brain injury. Since suffering her injuries Kendel and her family have had trouble finding effective treatments. In December, 2013 High Fives awarded Kendel … Read more
The Foundation proudly announces that four athletes have been awarded board-approved grants in February, 2014 via the Winter Empowerment Fund. Patrick Lonsdale (Ben Lomond, CA), Sophie Coudurier (Reno, NV), Brandon Pitzer (Portland, OR) and Mark Flounlacker (Berlin, MD) have been awarded assistance in their continued recovery from life-altering injuries. PATRICK LONSDALE | BEN LOMOND, CA … Read more
The Foundation proudly announces that two new athletes have been welcomed into the High Fives Family. Matt Lewis of Truckee, CA and Arash Bayatmakou of Berkeley, CA were are awarded board-approved grants in January and February of 2014 (respectively) via the Winter Empowerment Fund. MATT LEWIS | TRUCKEE, CA Originally hailing from Australia, Matt Lewis … Read more
High Fives to Griffin MacFadyen for continuing to support the Foundation through his the Winter Action Sports Ambassador Pledge Program, known as Griff’s Pledge! Here’s an update from High Fives Ambassador Griffin MacFadyen’s mother: “Greetings everyone! Griffin had a fantastic 3 days of competitions this weekend at Okemo. Other than Friday’s miserable weather (cold wet … Read more
