Truckee resident receives continued support from Tahoe-based High Fives Foundation to purchase mono-ski

Through an Empowerment Grant Luke Eckenberg will take next step towards recovery following snowboard injury

The High Fives Foundation is awarding Luke Eckenberg a board-approved Empowerment Grant of $6,856. This grant will allow Eckenberg to purchase a HOC Monoski as he continues to recover and discover new opportunities.

Eckenberg was snowboarding in January of 2011 when he hit a jump too fast. Immediately after take off Eckenberg started tipping backwards, missed the landing, and fell flat on his back. This led to a T-12/L1 spinal cord injury.

Last summer, Eckenberg moved to Truckee, where his brother lives, to work on his recovery and to mono-ski. “I want to return to the mountains, via my mono-ski,” said Eckenberg. “I have a goal of competing on some level of mono-ski competitions.”

Eckenberg has really fallen in love with mono-skiing. He recently attended the US Paralympic Alpine Race Camp at Squaw Valley from March 7th to 9th, with the goal of making the 2016 US Paralympic Nationals.

“It has been a pleasure to work with Luke,” said Roy Tuscany High Fives Foundation Executive Director. “He has proven to himself that through hard work and time put in his road to recovery will continue in an upward trend.”

The High Fives Foundation supports injured mountain sports athletes through grant funding to be used towards reaching their recovery goals. Since the High Fives Foundation’s January 2009 inception, the Empowerment program service has assisted 104 athletes from 22 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 2016 the High Fives Foundation disbursed $91,509 in board-approved grants to 19 athletes in 9 states.

###

About the High Fives Foundation: The High Fives Foundation is a Tahoe-based, national 501.c.3 non-profit organization. The High Fives Foundation supports the dreams of mountain action sports athletes by raising injury prevention awareness while providing resources and inspiration to those who suffer life-altering injuries. Formed as a way to “pay-it-forward” by the founder from his own recovery to help injured athletes, the Foundation has helped 104 athletes to date since its inception in 2009. For more information visit www.highfivesfoundation.org