Injured skier receives Empowerment Grants from Tahoe-based High Fives Foundation to fund recovery after life-altering injury

Scott Will of Evansville, Ind. receives Empowerment Grants, giving him access to training sessions at PEAK Center and covering medical costs

The High Fives Foundation is awarding two board-approved Empowerment Grants totaling $6,478 to Scott Will to support in his recovery. The grant will afford Will the opportunity to train at the Peak Center at Craig Hospital in Englewood, Colo., as well as covering his initial consultation as he progresses through his recovery from a life-altering injury.

Will sustained a spinal cord injury while snowboarding at Arapahoe Basin in January of 2015. He was snowboarding with friends when he caught an edge, landed on his head and woke up at the base of a tree in the woods. He was eventually flown to Craig Hospital where he was told that he sustained a complete T-12 spinal cord injury.

“Each week I notice improvements in my gait, and less of a need to brace my weight during sessions,” says Will. “I’m finishing up my last semester of classes, and am gearing up for a return to Craig Hospital.”

“It has been a pleasure to have the opportunity to work with Scott,” said Roy Tuscany, High Fives Executive Director. “Scott and other High Fives Athletes have proven to themselves that the time and effort they put in pays off in their road to recovery.”

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