Documentary Highlights Skier Safety
Posted: Nov 13, 2015 9:26 AM PST
Roy Tuscany looks like any other winter athlete, but a couple years ago Tuscany couldn’t even walk.
“I went 130 feet on 100 foot jump, and burst fracture my T-12 vertebrae in my spine,” he said.
Tuscany was paralyzed from the waist down. He was able to recover, but he wanted to give back. That’s why he founded the High Fives Foundation, a group that works to help traumatically injured mountain athletes recover from brain and spinal cord injuries.
“High Fives has helped 91 athletes from 20 states across the country,” he said.
The foundation also focuses on injury prevention. That’s why they’ve made a series of documentaries that focus on rider safety.
“The choices those athletes make not only contribute to their dominancy, but their longevity,” said Bud Keene, a professional sports coach.
In new documentary called ‘Choices’ — the group highlights the ways snow enthusiasts can stay safe including rider awareness, being prepared, knowing the mountain, and knowing how to ride a chairlift safely.
“I don’t know how, we still don’t know how, but John fell out at the third tower,” said Mark Henderson in the film.
He’s the father of 7-year-old John Henderson, who was killed when he fell of a chairlift in 2011.
“We document his story and tell the things that have been done to increase safety on chairlifts, so accidents like this don’t’ happen,” said Tuscany.
Professional winter athletes from across the country are on board with the message. Professional skier Daron Rahlves wants all young skiers and boarders to pay close attention.
“They’re in a little bubble,” said Rahlves. “They’re not really looking at anybody else. They’re just charging down the mountain and you gotta pull the reigns in a little bit.
He says the most important thing on the mountain is having fun– but in order to keep having fun– riders need to be safe. The High Fives Foundation has made several presentations in schools throughout California, but are wanting to get their message across to students in Washoe County.
Read the full story from KTVN HERE
