LITTLE ROCK NATIVE TO RECEIVE GRANT FUNDING FROM TAHOE-BASED HIGH FIVES FOUNDATION FOLLOWING SPINAL CORD INJURY
The High Fives Foundation is awarding Georgiana Burnside a board-approved Empowerment Grant for $665 to aid in her recovery, and get her back out on the slopes following a life-altering injury sustained during a ski accident.
While skiing a double black diamond at Snowmass, Colo. in March 2015, Burnside hit a rogue patch of ice sending her off a large drop on the side of the trail. After dropping 50 feet or so, Burnside landed on her back and slid to a stop. That is where she discovered she couldn’t move her legs. Burnside was flown directly to Craig Hospital where she underwent surgery to repair her spine. Following surgery, she was told that she had suffered a T12/L1 spinal cord injury.
Burnside’s goal is to continue to gain independence, and get comfortable on the ski slopes again. Burnside will attend Stanford University next year and plans to take occasional weekend ski trips to Tahoe with friends.
“I am excited that Georgiana wants to get back to skiing as it was always one of her favorite sports,” said Ann Burnside, Georgiana’s Mother. “I hope she’s careful, but I’m also excited for her to rediscover her passion for the mountains.”
Along with acupuncture, massage and personal training, the February board-approved Empowerment Grant for $665 includes a 5-pack of adaptive ski lessons from Achieve Tahoe at Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows. These lessons will be vital in helping Georgiana become comfortable on the hill so she can most enjoy the weekend ski trips next year.
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.
