Jacoby Miles is paralyzed from the chest down; she can’t use her legs but supporters are invited to lend their own for her cause.

The first annual Gift for Jacoby 5k Fun Run in scheduled for Saturday, which is the first anniversary of the tragedy which changed her life. The University of Washington gymnastics team and Olympian Elise Ray will walk with Miles at the fun run.

All the proceeds will directly benefit Team Jacoby – a fund set up to support Miles’ journey to rebuild her life. Team Jacoby has a current fundraising goal of $500,000. More than $300,000 has already been raised.

Miles, a sophomore at Rogers High School, was injured last year during a double back dismount at Roach Gymnastics in Sumner. The injury left her with a dislocated vertebrae and pinched off spinal cord. A full recovery is medically impossible but she holds on to hope that she will continue to gain strength and make improvements, said her mother Gretchen Miles.

“Jacoby has made incredible improvements,” said Gretchen. “She has done amazingly well handling it thanks to her faith. She is very open about her belief in Jesus Christ. She has hope and strength that has kept her out of depression.”

Jacoby Miles may be paralyzed but that hasn’t stopped her from being a gymnast at heart Gretchen Miles said. She coaches twice a week at Roach Gymnastics. In the time following her accident, Jacoby Miles said she couldn’t walk away from that part of her life.

“She can’t do gymnastics herself but she can train and inspire,” said Gretchen Miles.

Jacoby Miles and her family said they are looking forward to Saturday’s celebration.

“We’ve made it a year! Thank you to Roach Gymnastics first of all,” Gretchen Miles said. “Melanie and Dan (Roach) have been absolutely amazing. There was no expectation on our part for them to reach out like this and we are amazed by their generosity. Thank you, as well, to the entire community for encouraging and supporting us. The love we have been shown is just…. Words just can’t express our thanks.”

The Gift for Jacoby 5k Fun Run will take place at 9 a.m. in the Bonney Lake Lowe’s parking lot, 19911 South Prairie Road East.

To register visit the Team Jacoby website. Registration fees vary according to age.