HIGH FIVES ATHLETE RECEIVES EMPOWERMENT GRANT | NICK FAIRALL

Nick Fairall to receive funding from High Fives Foundation following life-altering injury at the Ski Jumping World Cup in Bischofshofen, Austria

High Fives Foundation Empowerment Grant to provide vital recovery services following ski accident

#HighFivesAthlete Nick Fairall
#HighFivesAthlete Nick Fairall

The High Fives Foundation is awarding Nick Fairall of Andover, NH a board-approved Empowerment Grant of $7,065 to help aid in his recovery from traumatic spinal cord injury. Grant funds will afford Fairall the opportunity to receive vital recovery services such as massage and acupuncture therapies, as well as the chance to ski with Achieve Tahoe.

On January 5th, 2015, Fairall was competing in the Ski Jumping World Cup in Bischofshofen, Austria. During qualifications, Fairall had a great jump that would have qualified him for the round; however, due to the wet snow conditions, his skis stuck in the snow immediately upon landing. Upon impact, he was certain that he had broken his back. He had sustained an L-1 fracture dislocation, which was fixed during the surgery. Due to the compression of his spinal cord, he lost the use of his legs; the body parts that allowed him to compete in the sport that he has truly loved for 20 years, and allowed him to become an United States Olympian.

“My absolute main goal, focus, and desire is to ski jump again,” says Fairall. “It will always be on my mind and I will always continue to work towards it.”

“Nick is a model High Fives Athlete,” said Roy Tuscany, High Fives Foundation Executive Director. “He’s positive, he’s highly motivated, and we’re proud to support him in all of his goals.”

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.

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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

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