By Jill Oberly, Reno Gazette-Journal

TRUCKEE — On April 10, 2008, Steve Wallace broke his back skiing at Squaw Valley. He was paralyzed from his T-9 vertebrate, in his lower spine, down.

He was left with the possibility of never being able to walk again, let alone ski.

With the assistance of the Truckee-based High Fives Foundation, Wallace was skiing in the spring of 2009. Today, the 30-year-old walks, skis and practices yoga as part of his continued recovery.

“I do all these things to get better because somebody along the way — Roy Tuscany — told me that I was going to walk again,” Wallace said. “That provided me with hope to take those steps needed to get on track to a full recovery.”

Tuscany is the co-founder and president of High Fives Foundation, a nonprofit he started in 2009. It is dedicated to raising money and awareness for winter sports athletes who have suffered a life-altering injury.

The organization has grown quickly. It now has two full-time employees, one part-time employee, an intern and a new facility, the CR Johnson Healing Center. It was named 2011 nonprofit of the year by the Truckee Donner Chamber of Commerce.

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