The High Fives Foundation is awarding Jason Abraham, 35, an empowerment grant to help aid in his recovery from a life-altering injury he sustained while skiing in the Palisades at Squaw Valley in April.

The injury happened when Abraham fell while skiing in Main Chute. The impact broke his neck and resulted in a subluxation of his C5/C6 vertebrae, causing temporary paralysis from the shoulders down. He is undergoing intensive rehab at Craig Hospital in Englewood, Colo.

Abraham is a professional photographer in the Tahoe area and has photographed High Fives athletes in the past.

Abraham’s recovery goals are to return to enjoying Tahoe with his wife and 3-year-old son.

Since the High Fives Foundation’s January 2009 inception, the empowerment program service has assisted 79 athletes from 20 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).