New Q2 High Fives Athletes (West Coast)

Introducing High Fives Quarter 2, 2021 Empowerment Grant Recipients

High Fives is very proud to introduce our readers to these new Athletes that we will be supporting throughout their recovery and into all of the goals and adventures they can dream of.

Recovery and progression of one’s mind and body is a never-ending pursuit. These Athletes recognize this, and realize that setting goals and improving daily is incredibly important. After one goal or adventure is complete, each Athlete learns that the goal is possible and find new ways to become better with the experience and skill created.

High Fives believes that these 10 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.

Meet the Central US | Grant Recipients HERE

Meet the East Coast | Grant Recipients HERE

Quarter 2 2021 Empowerment Grant Recipients

Gavin Clouser | SCI C5

Reno, NV

Gavin broke his neck while racing motocross on February 9th, 2013. He broke his c3-c5 stretching his spinal cord.

“Never Give Up”

Living Expenses – $15,000

Adrien Costa | Amputation

Bend, OR

While on approach to a technical climbing objective on Mt. Conness, near Yosemite, Adrien was involved in an accident that would change his life forever. He was planning to solo on the route and decided to take a shortcut around a boulder field. One step shook loose a massive block and pinned his leg beneath it. This resulted in an above-knee amputation.

Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” -Viktor Frankl

$2,920 – adaptive climbing equipment

Alina Petrik | TBI, Life-Changing Injuries

Sacramento, CA

A seemingly routine morning of speed flying in Utah quickly turned into a life-flight emergency to the nearest hospital. While attempting a maneuver close to the ground, a miscalculation sent Alina spiraling and ultimately crashing to the ground.

“Let go or get dragged”

$6,000 – Healing Networks

John Buchi | SCI C6

Eden, Utah

John was riding his mountain bike when he attempted an endo. He crashed and landed on a rock on the right side of his head. His helmet was entirely cracked.

Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit

$7,800 – Ice full fat recumbent trike

Adaptive Equipment

Mark Wilbourne | SCI C7

Las Vegas, NV

In 2019, in his senior year of high school, Mark was training for an Ironman triathlon. On a training ride, Mark lost control, and crashed into a car. This resulted in a C7 spinal cord injury.

“Tragedy will come, but it’s not okay to lose hope.”

$7,400 – Sit Ski and Outriggers

Adaptive Equipment

Mathew Andrew | SCI C7

Nanaimo, BC, Canada

Mountain biking and snowboarding had been Mat’s escape for the last 30 years. While mountain biking in October of 2020, a jump gone wrong resulted in a C7 cervical spinal cord injury.

“Do what you love”

$10,000 – Adaptive Equipment

Matt MacKay | SCI T11

Calgary, AB, Canada

In July of 2018, Matt was mountain biking in Fernie, BC like any other day. On this day, after coming around a corner, he bounced off his bike and flew back first into a big cedar tree. This impact dislocated his T11-12 vertebrae and resulted in a T10 spinal cord injury.

“If you don’t fall down, you’re not pushing yourself hard enough.”

$10,000 towards a Sport-On Explorer handcycle

Adaptive Equipment

Nick Harris | SCI C4

Sonora, CA

In June of 2014, Nick was at a lake near his hometown of Sonora, CA, swimming with some friends. He dove into the water the same way he had a million times in the past, however, due to the ongoing drought. The lake had been slowly dropping and when he hit the water this time, he dove straight into a shallow sand bar that was just a few feet below the surface.

Strength does not come from the physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.” ~ Gandhi

$9,000 for a Batec Wheelchair mount

Adaptive Equipment

Nicole Palladino | SCI T5

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

While mountain biking in Costa Rica Nicole fell off a cliff she was biking near. This fall left her with many injuries, including a T5 spinal cord injury.

“When you change the way you look at things, what you are looking at changes”

$10,000 towards a JeeTrike

Adaptive Equipment

These new Athletes are welcomed to the High Fives Ohana by previous Athletes!

Andrew Kurka | SCI

Palmer, AK

“LIFE IS SHORT, LIVE IT FAST!“

Skis, race plates, bindings – $2,242

Adaptive Equipment

Chris 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!“

Healing Network – $3,000