INJURED CHICAGO ATHLETE RECEIVES SUPPORT FROM LAKE TAHOE-BASED NON-PROFIT, THE HIGH FIVES FOUNDATION
The High Fives Foundation is awarding 27-year-old Cameron Zick an Empowerment Grant of $6,381 to aid in his recovery from a life-altering injury sustained in a fall while hiking a mountain in Colorado.
On May 23 2015, Zick’s hiking trip ended when he slipped off a rock, fell headfirst into the snow, and broke his neck. The accident resulted in a burst fracture of his C6 vertebrae, causing temporary paralysis from the neck down.
Following his injury, Zick has remained goal oriented, a mindset that has helped his walk again. He plans to climb the mountain that temporarily took the movement from his legs.
“Since day one, I reiterated my ultimate recovery goal: to climb Mt. Sneffels and stand on that rock again,” said Zick.
The April 2017 Empowerment Grant received by Zick will be used toward vital therapies not covered by insurance. The awarded treatments will pair together to help Zick work toward his goal of reaching the peak of Mt. Sneffels.
“I’m beyond pumped to continue to grind and elevate my rehab,” said Zick. “This grant will allow me to focus solely on my training and I couldn’t be more grateful. The peak is within reach because of High Fives!”
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 156 athletes from 31 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).
