Olympian Nick Fairall to receive funding from High Fives Foundation following life-altering injury at the Ski Jumping World Cup in Bischofshofen, Austria
High Fives Foundation Empowerment Grant to provide vital recovery services following ski accident
Truckee, California, November 3, 2016 — The High Fives Foundation is awarding Nick Fairall of Andover, NH a board-approved Empowerment Grant that will afford him the opportunity to receive vital recovery services such as massage and acupuncture therapies.
On January 5th, 2015, Fairall was competing in the Ski Jumping World Cup in Bischofshofen, Austria. During qualifications, Fairall had a great jump that would have qualified him for the round; however, due to the wet snow conditions, his skis stuck in the snow immediately upon landing. Upon impact, he was certain that he had broken his back. He had sustained an L-1 fracture dislocation, which was fixed during the surgery. Due to the compression of his spinal cord, he lost the use of his legs; the body parts that allowed him to compete in the sport that he has truly loved for 20 years, and allowed him to become an United States Olympian.
“My absolute main goal, focus, and desire is to ski jump again,” says Fairall. “It will always be on my mind and I will always continue to work towards it.”
“Nick is a model High Fives Athlete,” said Roy Tuscany, High Fives Foundation Executive Director. “He’s positive, he’s highly motivated, and we’re proud to support him in all of his goals.”
