The High Fives Foundation is proud to announce the release of “Jake Hickman – 1 Year Later,” a video produced by Conor Toumarkine of Shreddy Times illustrating one Winter Empowerment athlete’s return to sport after suffering a life altering spinal cord injury.
To watch and share this powerful video please visit: www.highfivesfoundation.org/index.php/blog/451-movie-monday-jake-hickman-1-year-later
“The High Fives Foundation has helped me with my recovery by being an amazing positive support group, both financially and personally,” Hickman said. “My complete recovery wouldn’t have been possible without the Foundation and its generosity, friendship and support.”
The High Fives Foundation’s Winter Empowerment Fund provided Hickman with rehabilitative healing therapies such as Physical Therapy with Scott Williams of Synergy Therapeutics, Acupuncture with Tyler Lapkin, Massage Therapy with Karen Stubbs and one-on-one training with Chris Cloyd. These therapies, along with time spent in the gym with his TRX Suspension Training System and on the trails, would not be possible without the generosity of more than 82 donors that have directly contributed to this up and coming ski star’s full recovery.
As a 16 year-old, Tahoe Vista, CA native Jake Hickman was well on his way to realizing his dream of qualifying for the U.S. Freestyle Development Group in the sport of mogul skiing. On December 22, 2011 the talented skier crashed while competing at a U.S. Freestyle Ski Team – Selection Competition in Steamboat Springs, Colo.
Hickman, the reigning J2 National Champion caught the edge of his ski before one of the jumps in the course. The crash resulted in a spiral compression fracture of Jake’s T8 vertebrae with an incomplete paralysis of the spinal cord. At first, uncertain of his ability to even walk again, Jake powered through a strenuous regimen of physical therapy to return to the sport he loves.
One year later he returned to the U.S. Freestyle Ski Team – Selection Competition at Copper Mountain, Colo. and placed 24th with a score of 74.23. This in itself is a testament to the hard work that Jake has put in.
“Hickman added, “It is interesting to think back on the last year of my life. Through this injury, I have learned a great deal about myself, have become a better person and realized the value of positivity in all aspects of life.”
The High Fives Foundation Winter Empowerment Fund allocates donated funds to athletes that have applied for and been approved by the High Fives Foundation Board of Directors – Grant Selection Committee for a specific grant to assist in recovery from a life altering injury.
To learn more about the High Fives Foundation and the Winter Empowerment Program Service point your browser to www.highfivesfoundation.org. Stay up to date on upcoming events and information by following the High Fives Foundation on twitter and Facebook (twitter.com/hi5sfoundation and facebook.com/highfivesfoundation).
To date, the High Fives Foundation has assisted 34 athletes from 10 states in eight respective funding categories which include: living expenses, insurance, travel, health, healing network, adaptive equipment, winter equipment, programs and stoke (positive energy, outlook and attitude). In less than four years the High Fives Foundation has dispersed $621,000 in program services. The Winter Empowerment Fund, the CR Johnson Healing Center and B.A.S.I.C.S. represent the three program services of the Foundation in which athletes, community members and winter sports enthusiasts alike are served, healed and educated.
