LAKE TAHOE RESIDENTS TO RECEIVE CONTINUED SUPPORT FROM LOCAL NON-PROFIT, THE HIGH FIVES FOUNDATION
The High Fives Foundation is awarding Tahoe-based athletes Jason Abraham, Jeff Andrews, Nolan Trowe Empowerment Grants totaling $5,025 to aid in their respective recoveries from life-altering injury. The funding will provide non insurance-covered treatments vital to recovery.
Abraham was skiing at Squaw Valley | Alpine Meadows on one of the only powder days of the year. He decided he’d take a free ski run on Main Chute on the Palisades. Toward the bottom of the daunting run, Abraham caught an edge and was propelled onto his back. The impact resulted in a burst fracture of his C6 vertebrae, causing temporary paralysis from the shoulders down.
In the two years following Abraham’s injury, the personal training, massage therapy and acupuncture treatments that he has received at the CR Johnson Healing Center, program service of the High Fives Foundation, have helped him work toward his goal of getting back in the mountains.
“My recovery goals are to become as independent as possible,” said Abraham. “My hope is that High Fives can continue to assist me with my physical recovery and help me get back to skiing and mountain biking in the mountains.”
In March, 2014 Andrews suffered a spinal cord injury that resulted in limited use of his hands and legs in a snowboarding accident that occurred at Sugar Bowl Resort in Soda Springs, Calif.
Since his injury, Andrews has worked tirelessly towards regaining motor function, strength and sensation. He and personal trainer Chris Cloyd work together three times per week at the CR Johnson Healing Center, program service of the High Fives Foundation, a facility that allows Andrews to work out free of charge.
The April Empowerment Grant will be used toward massage with Karen Stubbs LMT at the CR Johnson Healing Center to help Andrews prepare each week for the demanding hours that he spends in the gym.
“I definitely spend more time than most people in the gym,” Andrews said. “If I didn’t have Karen (Stubbs) to work on my tired muscles following workouts, I’d be stiff as a board.”
“I’m so impressed with Jeff’s determination, he’s here all week long,” said Roy Tuscany, Executive Director of the High Fives Foundation. “Last Summer I watched him win a surf competition in Waikiki, Hawaii purely based off of his increased strength and function.”
Andrews will attempt to reclaim his title at the Duke’s OceanFest competition in Waikiki in 2017 from Aug. 19-27. He will use gains from his winter training program at the CR Johnson Healing Center in his efforts.
“Massage and acupuncture are the only way to get my tired muscles prepared for my next session in the gym,” said Trowe. “I would honestly not be able to get out of bed without the work that Barbara (acupuncture) and Karen (massage) do!”
In June 2016, Nolan Trowe suffered an incomplete spinal cord injury while cliff diving with friends at Emerald Pools on the South Yuba River in Nevada County, Calif.
Trowe and his family Immediately reached out to the High Fives Foundation following his injury, and upon discharge from his in-patient acute-rehabilitation at Sutter Roseville Medical Center, he worked with the organization to set up a treatment plan at the CR Johnson Healing Center – Program service of the Foundation. Trowe’s treatment plan included personal training, massage therapy and acupuncture.
Trowe has since gone on to walk, and even get back to work as a substitute teacher at Truckee High School.
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).
