Sharp HealthCare Foundation will celebrate the community spirit of local heroes who have turned tragedy into triumph at the 22nd annual “Victories of Spirit” award ceremony on Friday, June 1. This year, four individuals and one local organization will be honored with the Eagle Spirit Award, an award symbolizing the Navajo sign of the most potent healing power. “The Victories of Spirit event celebrates the power of rehabilitation and strength of the human spirit, honoring former rehabilitation patients who have overcome great adversity,” said David Brown, system director of Sharp HealthCare’s Rehabilitation Services. One such local hero, UCSD student and Point Loma native Randy Ewing, will be honored for his dedication to helping injured athletes get back into action through his volunteer efforts with High Fives — a Tahoe-based nonprofit that raises funds and awareness for people who suffer from life-altering winter action sports injuries. Ewing, 22, an avid outdoor sports enthusiast and lifelong skier, is lucky to be alive after suffering a serious brain injury while taking on a complex new ski trick on the slopes at Mammoth Mountain two years ago. Following his determined recovery at Sharp Memorial Hospital — including having to relearn basic motor functions and memory retention — Ewing realized how fortunate he was to regain his ability to do what he loved. This realization makes him more passionate about the sport now than ever before, he said. “I’ve been hurt. I’ve broken bones, but I’ve never been disabled or held back by anything,” he said. “Going through rehab at Sharp, I realized how lucky I am to be able to continue to do what I want to do. There are a lot of people who aren’t able to do what they are passionate about after an injury.” Shortly after his recovery, not only was Ewing hitting the slopes again, but he also took the lead in putting on a huge fundraising event for High Fives. Under his leadership, the nonprofit put forth a successful film-screening fundraiser, showing Red Bull’s “Art of Flight” and “Retallack” to more than 500 attendees, along with a special appearance by seven-time Winter X Games gold medalist Tanner Hall. Through Ewing’s efforts, the nonprofit was able to exceed its fundraising goals to provide scholarships and resources to help athletes recover from sports injuries and get back to doing what they love. Although dealing with a traumatic injury is a devastating ordeal, Ewing said his injury sparked something in him that made him more compassionate toward others who have suffered from similar situations. “It certainly makes you more sympathetic. It gives you more of an understanding of what they’re going through, even if it’s not exactly what you went through,” he said. Ewing attributes much of his successful recovery efforts to the people who surrounded him and helped him through his own trying recovery process. Now, he says, he is just returning the goodwill. “I think the biggest thing I’ve learned over the past couple of years is that when you get knocked down, you have to get back at it,” he said. “No help goes unnoticed. A lot of times, when you see someone who’s down and out, you think you can’t do anything to help, but every little bit really does mean something.” Ewing continues his involvement with High Fives, while managing the campus’ outdoor sports rental shop and finishing up his degree in cognitive neuroscience. He will accept his award at the Manchester Grand Hyatt at 6 p.m. on June 1, along with three other former rehabilitation patients — Heather Berner, Russell Storm and Bill Lundstrom — and local organization HeadNorth. The 2012 Victories of Spirit celebration, sponsored by Sharp HealthCare Foundation will benefit Sharp Rehabilitation Services programs, including adaptive sports, challenged women’s support initiative, traumatic brain injury support and general rehabilitation.