Jake Michael Savala grew up in Williamsburg, Virginia, playing football, basketball, baseball, golf and just about anything that gave him a chance to compete. He also loved wakeboarding, motocross, snowboarding and snowmobiling. Team sports taught him the value of suffering and winning together, while individual sports gave him a different kind of challenge. Before his injury, he spent his time chasing waves and mountains.
On December 20, 2024, Jake and his service K9, HALO, were walking home after his shift as a firefighter in Colorado Springs when they were struck by a vehicle. Both survived, but Jake was left facing the loss of his career, chronic pain and the challenge of learning how to live life with a disability. HALO became a central part of his recovery and continues to be his partner through it all.
Jake has never been someone who quits. Now, he wants to regain a sense of normalcy, break through the barriers that have limited him since the accident, reduce his chronic pain and learn how to breathe and move freely again. His goal isn't to get back to exactly who he was, it's to get back to life, knowing that 99.99% is still a life worth fighting for.
At Hyper, Jake wants to rebuild his physical capacity and discover what is still possible. He also hopes to continue using his experience to serve others, including through research that may help prevent future patients from facing the same challenges.
SPONSORED BY:
Friedland Family Foundation
