Collaboration between two action sports nonprofits provides Englewood resident a new ski
THIS IS THE FIRST EMPOWERMENT FUND GRANT AWARDED TO Blake Foster FROM THE HIGH FIVES FOUNDATION
(Truckee, California, November 3, 2016) — California’s High Fives Foundation is awarding Englewood resident Blake Foster an Empowerment Grant for a high performance monoski to enable him to progress in adaptive skiing. Foster is in recovery from a life-altering injury he received in 2014. This grant is in collaboration with the Kelly Brush Foundation that provides adaptive equipment to injured athletes.
The injury occurred while dirt biking in March 2014. Foster was lapping a large jump, and one of the airs went wrong. In mid air he ditched the bike and landed on the backside of the jump. The impact burst fractured his T4 and 5 vertebrae.
Foster is currently in rehabilitation at Englewood’s own Craig Hospital.
“Blake is there day-in and day-out working on his recovery,” said Roy Tuscany, executive director of the High Fives Foundation. “This past season he got into monoskiing at Breckenridge Outdoors Education Center, and he’s hooked.”
“I’ve skied since I was 3 years old and snowboarded at the age of 7,” Foster said. ”I want to get back and do these things again.”
The Kelly Brush Foundation based in Vermont has awarded $3,000 towards his mono ski. The High Fives Foundation is picking up the remaining $3,442.
