TRUCKEE NATIVE RECEIVES GRANT FUNDING FROM HIGH FIVES FOUNDATION FOLLOWING LIFE-ALTERING INJURY IN SKI ACCIDENT
The High Fives Foundation is awarding Alex Straw an Empowerment Grant for $800 to be used toward personal training to help get him back on his feet.
In December 2016, Straw was skiing with some friends at Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, his home mountain. The light was exceedingly flat that particular day, and when Straw skied over a blind roller near the Gold Coast Express lift, the 21-year old skier fell from eight feet into a stream bed at a high speed.
The impact resulted in two broken ankles along with multiple other injuries to his lower extremities. Doctors have relayed to Straw that he will be non-weight bearing for up to 6-months; a time period in which severe muscle atrophy can occur without proper and regular exercise.
“I don’t have a choice to train harder than I ever have. It’s not just a matter of getting back on skis, it’s a matter of walking properly again,” said Straw. “Training at the CR Johnson Healing Center has been amazing. Jack Powell and the Team know what the human body needs to heal properly.”
The February board-approved Empowerment Grant for $800 will provide Straw with specialized personal training, acupuncture and massage at the CR Johnson Healing Center – Program service of the High Fives Foundation.
The High Fives Foundation supports injured mountain action sports athletes through grant funding to be used towards reaching their recovery goals. Since the Foundation’s January 2009 inception, the Empowerment program service has assisted 147 athletes from 27 states in nine respective funding categories which include: living expenses, insurance, travel, health, healing network, adaptive equipment, winter equipment, programs and “stoke” (positive energy, outlook and attitude).
In Quarter 1 of 2017 the High Fives Foundation disbursed $119,294.50 in board-approved grants to 20 athletes in 6 states.
