Introducing High Fives March 2020 West Coast Empowerment Grant recipients

High Fives is very proud to introduce everyone to these new Athletes that we will be supporting through their recovery and onto whatever goals and adventures that they can dream of.

Recovery and progression of one’s mind and body is a never-ending pursuit. These Athletes realize that setting goals and improving themselves is incredibly important. After one goal or adventure is complete you know that goal is possible and they find ways to become better with the experience and skill created.

High Fives believes that these 14 new Athletes embody our values and will represent High Fives in amazing ways, and we cannot wait to see what they accomplish.

High Fives will be providing the March grant cycle recipients with a total of $55,090 to provide healing network support, equipment funding, and living expenses to ensure that these 14 new and 13 existing #HighFivesAthletes can be the best versions of themselves.

March 2020 Empowerment Grant Recipients

Ryan Bodine | C7

Nevada City, CA

While snowboarding at Sugarbowl in January 2020, Ryan hit a jump in the terrain park with too much speed. He was sent flying through the air past the landing and came down on his lower back. This crash resulted in a C7 vertebrae burst fracture.

This grant will help reduce pain during my recovery, in order to be at my full potential for physical activity.

This grant will help me in my recovery process to build strength and manage muscle soreness in order to get back to doing what I love.

SHELBY ESTOCADO | T6 incomplete

Las Vegas, NV

Former USA Baseball Women’s National Team player, Shelby Estocado was snowboarding at Lee Canyon Resort in February 2020. Shelby impacted hard on a bad landing off of a jump. This landing resulted in a T6 spinal cord injury.

“Try hard at everything you do” – Wheels2Walking.

Also a quote from a patient I met at Craig Hospital “There are always good and tough days, never any bad days” – Hunter Pinke

“This grant will help me be more independent and go towards adaptive equipment for assistive driving. My goal is to completely be independent in the everyday things I do. Driving is so important to me since I do want to get back to working in a few months.”

JO-MARIE LAWRENCE | C4

Sunnyvale, CA

During Christmas week, Jo was snowboarding with her family at Blackcomb in Whistler, Canada. While riding, Jo encountered some uncovered rocks while going down a mountain at a high speed. In an attempt to avoid the rocks, Jo tried to jump over them, caught an edge, and tumbled down the mountain. This crash resulted in a C4 spinal cord injury, paralyzing her from the neck down.

“The sun is a daily reminder that we too can rise again from the darkness, that we too can shine our own light.” –S. Ajna

“This grant is going to help me gain more independence and keep me adventuring.”