EASTERN REGION ATHLETES RECEIVE EMPOWERMENT GRANTS | 3 HIGH FIVES ATHLETES AWARDED

CONGRATULATIONS & HIGH FIVE TO 3 EASTERN REGION #HIGHFIVESATHLETES WHO WERE AWARDED EMPOWERMENT GRANTS IN THE MONTH OF MAY 2016!

In the month of May alone, the High Fives Foundation granted $37,186 to 11 High Fives Athletes. High Five to our 3 eastern region athletes Michael SchwarzJeff ElliotLeeann Ketchum!

The High Fives Foundation supports injured mountain sports athletes through grant funding to be used towards reaching their recovery goals. Since the High Fives Foundation’s January 2009 inception, the Empowerment program service has assisted 110 athletes from 23 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).

The Empowerment Fund provides resources and inspiration to those who suffer a life-altering injury. Life-altering injuries are injuries such as spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, amputation or other mobility-limiting injuries that occurred in an athlete’s lifetime. The resources and inspiration we provide come in the form of board-approved grant funding paid to service providers.

“With the Foundation based in Tahoe, it is so important to act as the safety net for all the athletes in the area,” says Roy Tuscany, Executive Director of High Fives Foundation. “This year we have returned numerous athletes back to snow and helped helped others in their recovery, it is truly a blessing.”

#HIGHFIVESATHLETE Mike Schwarz receives therapeutic equine riding lessons

unnamed

29-year-old Chester resident, Michael Schwarz, sustained a traumatic brain injury while competing in a snowboard competition in 2009.

Following his accident Schwarz has had issues with speech, walking, balance and cognitive difficulties. His goals have been to regain balance and to walk independently.

With an Empowerment Grant from California-based High Fives Foundation, Schwarz will work towards recovery by participating in therapeutic horse back riding at Rainbow Riding Center in Shrewsbury, VT.

“Hey I started horse back riding. I love it,” says Schwarz. “Thanks for supporting me High Fives!”

“The therapeutic horse back riding sessions have been so positive for Mike,” said Roy Tuscany, Executive Director of High Fives Foundation. “After each session, Mike sends us a video of his horseback riding. His smile is larger than life, and it shows the impact these riding lessons are providing him.”

#HIGHFIVESATHLETE, LEEANN KETCHAM 25-YEAR-OLD BOW, NEW HAMPSHIRE SNOWBOARDER AIDED

In December, 2010, 25-year-old LeeAnn Ketcham was snowboarding in Southern New Hampshire with some of her friends when she hit a disguised cliff along side the trail. Upon impact, she immediately discovered that she had lost the motor function in her legs. From there, she was flown to Dartmouth Hitchcock for surgery where she was informed she had suffered an incomplete spinal cord injury at the T11 level.

In the month of May, Lake Tahoe-based non-profit, the High Fives Foundation awarded Ketcham a grant for physical therapy sessions at Project Walk where she can work out on specialized equipment with personalized trainings as she improves her mobility and independence since the injury.

“High fives gives me hope that one day I can reach my goal of walking,” Ketcham said. “I love the Foundation because it’s such a positive movement. It encourages you to get back on the horse, if you will.”

“LeeAnn works very hard, and because of that hard work, LeeAnn is now walking with the assistance of crutches,” said Roy Tuscany, Executive Director of the High Fives Foundation. “I know she plans to shed the crutches, and based on her determination and positivity, she will achieve that.”

In the month of May alone, the High Fives Foundation granted $37,186 to 11 High Fives Athletes.

unnamed-1

#HIGHFIVESATHLETE JEFF ELLIOT, 49-YEAR-OLD KEENE MOUNTAIN BIKER AIDED

ba265897-4042-4693-a48c-249b82acd712

49-year-old Jeff Elliot was mountain biking in January this year in southern New Hampshire when he went over the handlebars, landed on his back causing a burst-fracture to his T-4 vertebrae.

Elliot was immediately rushed to Spaulding Medical Center in Boston where he underwent spinal surgery, finding out that he had suffered a complete spinal cord injury and would be paralyzed from that point of injury and below.

He reached out to Lake Tahoe, California-based nonprofit, the High Fives Foundation for support while he undergoes in-patient rehabilitation. They are funding his request for financial support towards his mortgage payments so he can solely focus on regaining strength, mobility, and specifically independence so he may continue to provide for his family.

“This grant from high fives will take substantial financial pressure off,” said Elliot. “It’s going to allow me to focus on recovery, and that’s what I need to do.”

“One of Jeff’s first goals is to achieve a level of independence that he can return to work,” said Roy Tuscany, Executive Director of the High Fives Foundation. “He is working very hard to get to that point. After that, he will return to the mountain sports he loves.”

In the month of May alone, the High Fives Foundation granted $37,186 to 11 High Fives Athletes.

HELP AN ATHLETE DONATE TODAY!

Learn more about High Fives May Empowerment Grants

Western Region HERE

Central Region HERE

Eastern Region HERE

Leave a Comment