Introducing High Fives January 2021 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 off.
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 that goal is possible and find ways to become better with the experience and skill created.
High Fives believes that these 6 new Athletes embody our values and will represent High Fives in amazing ways, and we cannot wait to see what they are able to accomplish
January 2021 Empowerment Grant Recipients
Al Wilson | SCI C6
Parksville, BC
While mountain biking on Hornby Island, Al miss read a portion of the trail. This small mistake led to a crash, unfortunately resulting in a broken neck and spinal cord injury.
“Make a small goal and crush it!”
“Being awarded this grant will help me regain some independence and get me back on the trails. It will allow me to modify my van in a way that will give me the freedom to load my bike and go. It will allow me to continue to have adventures on my bike with my friends but will also provide me with opportunities to connect with others living a similar lifestyle. Increasing my community and improving my independence and quality of life.
$3,900 towards Adaptive Equipment
Alex Duff | SCI C4 Incomplete
Auburn CA,
Alex sustained an incomplete C4 spinal cord injury from a mountain bike crash
Live everyday like it is your last
“This grant will raise my spirits and motivate me to push harder through my recovery with the goal of returning to sport at the highest level possible.”
$610 towards Programs
Brian Bullas | SCI T4
Cochrane, AB
Brian was injured on a snowboard trip at SilverStar resort in British Columbia. As a confident rider, he was aiming to get a little air off of a cat-track, but hit a depression in the groomer. He crashed hard and sustained a spinal cord injury.
“Look before you leap.”
“To me, High Fives means the chance and opportunity for people to explore their dreams, and make them possible”
Nissin Sit ski
ED Natyshak | SCI C7
Nelson, BC
Ed crashed while riding his mountain bike in 2005, sustaining a C7 Spinal Cord injury
The highest forms of understanding we can achieve are laughter and human compassion’ Richard P. Feynman .
“This grant will help get me into a proper wheelchair and accessories to get me outdoors and involved in volunteering and coaching with my mountain sport friends and community”
$4,300 towards Adaptive Equipment
Jacob Kazar | Life changin injury
Corona Del Mar, CA
Jacob sustain a severely broken ankle from an accident
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
$2,100 towards Adaptive Equipment
Jordan Koeninger | SCI T12
Chandler, AZ
A snowboarding accident twenty years ago resulted in a complete T12 spinal cord injury for Jordan. While riding, he went a little too big, landed upside down, dislocating his back and causing the injury. Since his injury, Jordan has participated in surfing, handcycling, paddle boarding, ATVs, and more.
“Smile”
This grant will go so far! Being in the ocean does wonders for me, my physical health, my mental health, my “smile” and stoke. I can’t wait to be able to surf some of these locations where the adaptive comps are held!”
$1,895 towards Adaptive Equipment
Meghan Harris | Life changing Injuries
Edmonton, AB
In August of 2018, Meghan ws cycling with a group of 15 friends. A distracted driver in a large pick up truck collided with the group. Meghan was in the back of the pack and took the brunt of the impact. She was thrown 20 feet across the highway and sustained a handful of different injuries.
“Let your light shine”
This grant will help me to achieve a pre-accident goal in my new body. It will allow me to be able to defy what I thought was possible and bring me so much joy!”
$2,500 towards Adaptive Equipment
These new West Coast Athletes will be welcomed to the High Fives Ohana by previous Athletes and January Grant recipients
Ajay Shenoy | SCI
San Jose, CA
“WE CANNOT CHANGE THE CARDS WE ARE DEALT, JUST HOW WE PLAY THE HAND.“
$3,470 towards Healing Networks and Adaptive Equipment
$3,290 towards Healing Networks and Adaptive Equipment
JEFF ANDREWS | SCI
Verdi, CA
“NEVER SAY NEVER, BECAUSE LIMITS, LIKE FEARS, ARE OFTEN JUST AN ILLUSION”
$2,820 towards Healing Networks
Christopher Baker | TBI
Newberg, OR
“LIFE IS NOT A JOURNEY TO THE GRAVE WITH THE INTENTION TO ARRIVE SAFELY IN A PRETTY AND WELL-PRESERVED BODY, BUT RATHER TO SKID IN BROADSIDE, THOROUGHLY USED UP, TOTALLY WORN OUT, AND LOUDLY PROCLAIMING: WOW!! WHAT A RIDE!“
$2500 towards Healing Networks
Dario Minatta | SCI
Sonoma, CA
“YESTERDAY IS HISTORY. TOMORROW IS A MYSTERY. SO WHY NOT JUST ENJOY THE MOMENT.“
$2500 towards Healing Networks
David Sagal | SCI
Calgary, Alberta
“EVER TRIED. EVER FAILED. NO MATTER. TRY AGAIN. FAIL AGAIN. FAIL BETTER.“
$2,775 towards Programs
Erik Johnson |single leg below-knee amputation
San Diego,CA
“OUT OF THE NIGHT THAT COVERS ME, BLACK AS THE PIT FROM POLE TO POLE, I THANK WHATEVER GODS MAY BE FOR MY UNCONQUERABLE SOUL.“
$3,182 towards Adaptive Equipment
$4,310 towards Adaptive Equipment
$1800 towards Healing Networks
JP Middelton |SCI
Banff,AB
“LIFE IS LIKE A BOX OF CHOCOLATES YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU’RE GOING TO GET“
$450 towards Adaptive Equipment
Megan Wemmer| SCI
Boulder, CO
“THE WOMEN WHOM I LOVE AND ADMIRE FOR THEIR STRENGTH AND GRACE DID NOT GET THAT WAY BECAUSE SHIT WORKED OUT. THEY GOT THAT WAY BECAUSE SHIT WENT WRONG, AND THEY HANDLED IT. THEY HANDLED IT A THOUSAND DIFFERENT WAYS ON A THOUSAND DIFFERENT DAYS, BUT THEY HANDLED IT. THOSE WOMEN ARE MY SUPERHEROES.“
$3,950 towards Healing Networks
Nolan Trowe |SCI
Reno, NV
“NO ONE CAN POSSIBLY KNOW WHAT IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN: IT IS HAPPENING, EACH TIME, FOR THE FIRST TIME, FOR THE ONLY TIME.“
$3,000 towards Adaptive Equipment
$4,500 towards Healing Networks and Adaptive Equipment
$2,500 towards Healing Networks
Tommy Michaels | SCI
Berkely,CA
“PEOPLE ARE BORN LIKE A PERFECT PIECE OF SARAN WRAP. LIFE BUMPS WILL GIVE YOU WRINKLES ALONG THE WAY, BUT YOU HAVE TO GO ABOUT EVERY DAY TRYING TO EVEN YOURSELF BACK OUT.“
$2,500 towards Adaptive Equipment
$100 towards Adaptive Equipment