Real Answers is a place for you to ask questions to people who have suffered similar injuries to you.
In 2006 I went from being a professional skier to an incomplete paraplegic in an instant, after I over-shot a step-up jump in Mammoth, CA. From the moment the doctor told me I was going to be in a wheelchair, I knew that I needed to use the power of positivity to overcome this injury. It was a long road to recover to the point that I am at today but I wouldn't have my life any other way.
In 2009 I formed High Fives Foundation to help raise money and awareness for athletes that suffer a life-altering injury while pursuing a dream in the winter sports community. The people, families and stories that I have been able to encompass into my life through the journey of High Fives is priceless.
My name is Grant Korgan, and on March 5th, 2010 while snowmobiling in the Sierra back country, I burst fractured my L1 vertebrae and entered the world of spinal cord injury recovery. I started my journey with a complete loss of feeling and zero movement below my belly button. Refusing to take “no” for an answer, my wife and I began a non-stop lifestyle of exercise and positivity that has, in one short year, taken me from a wheelchair to walking. Through my recovery, I want to show the world that everyone can remember to live the highest version of themselves, and that humanity can choose everyday to live their limitless potential.
On April 10th, 2008 I was skiing with some friends at Squaw Valley when I was involved in an accident that left me paralyzed from T9 down. After a successful surgery at Renown Hospital in Reno, NV I was told that I might never walk again. This was hard news to take at first, but I was determined to beat the odds, and I used it as fuel in my mission to make a 100% recovery. Through my recovery I have discovered hidden qualities in myself that have helped me become a stronger, more positive and an all around better person. Please feel free to ask ANY and ALL questions, as I understand what a difficult and confusing time this can be.
On January 1st 2011, I went from skiing knee-deep powder to not being able to move my arms or legs, when I landed on a rock in The Fingers at Squaw Valley USA. I knew I was in big trouble, but I didn't panic; I just laid there, motionless, with waves of thoughts pouring over me… Am I paralyzed? Will I ever walk again? Then it happened; the first patroller to reach me touched my leg and I could feel it, and while I knew little about spinal cord injuries, I knew the fact that I could feel my leg was a very positive sign.
Since that day, with the help of family, friends and High Fives I have made remarkable improvements, and I anxiously await my return to skiing. I know that there's no way I could have come this far without the help of Roy, Adam, and Steve from High Fives so I owe them all an eternal HIGH FIVE!
I love all things outdoors and being able to see personal progression in anything. On January 3rd I suffered a traumatic brain injury; 4 brain surgeries, medically induced coma and paralyzed. 5 weeks later I was released from the hospital and in recovery mode. Now it’s non-stop physical therapy and physical activities whether it is hiking, golfing, fishing, rock climbing, etc. Through my recovery I have learned that impossible is nothing.
Disclaimer: Real Answers provides real answers from real athletes to real questions from real people. The athletes will answer your questions based on their own personal learning experiences in recovering from life-altering injuries. None of our athletes is a licensed professional. They cannot give you professional advice. If you need medical advice, consult your doctor. If you need legal advice, consult a lawyer. If you need architectural advice, consult an architect.
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