“ON APRIL 29, 2006 I SUFFERED A DEVASTATING SPINAL CORD INJURY WHILE TRAINING IN MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN, CA, RENDERING MY LOWER BODY PARALYZED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ACCIDENT. AFTER HAVING HIGH HOPES OF BECOMING A WORLD CLASS PROFESSIONAL SKIER, I THEN HAD TO RELEARN EVERYTHING IN MY LIFE FROM THE GROUND UP. A TRULY LIFE-ALTERING EXPERIENCE, I EVENTUALLY BEGAN MAKING GREAT PROGRESS. WITH THE HELP OF STRONG PERSONALITIES, POSITIVITY, AND HIGH FIVES ALL AROUND ME, I STEPPED INTO SKIS AND LOADED THE LIFT AT SUGAR BOWL FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MARCH OF 2008. THE ENCOURAGEMENT AND POSITIVITY I RECEIVED DURING MY RECOVERY INSPIRED ME TO START A FOUNDATION TO HELP OTHERS WITH SIMILAR EXPERIENCES.”
HIGH FIVES NON-PROFIT FOUNDATION, BASED IN TRUCKEE, CA, BECAME AN OFFICIAL 501C.3 NON-PROFIT ON JANUARY 19, 2009. FOUNDED BY ROY TUSCANY.
WE HAVE NOT ONLY GROWN AT A RATE THAT EXCEEDED ALL EXPECTATIONS, BUT HAVE ALSO SUCCESSFULLY RAISED FUNDS, SECURED ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS AND AIDED IN RECOVERY OF 112 ATHLETES FROM 23 STATES. IT IS A DREAM COME TRUE TO HELP THESE PEOPLE AND MANY MORE. WITH THAT IN MIND IT IS THE MISSION OF HIGH FIVES TO CONTINUE TO GROW AND BECOME A NATION-WIDE ORGANIZATION THAT EFFECTIVELY ACTS AS AN UMBRELLA FOR THOSE THAT PARTICIPATE (AND GET HURT) IN THE SPORTS WE LOVE SO DEARLY.