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A product of the die-hard hockey world in the Northeast US, Travis Roy grew up loving hockey. After he became paralyzed playing hockey for Boston University, he dedicated his life to doing everything possible to not only improve his situation, but the situation of others like him.
Travis went on to found the Travis Roy Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to finding a cure for spinal cord injuries, as well as raising money to support people living with a spinal cord injuries. He also wrote a memoir, became a mouth painter and was a motivational speaker. Read on for the story of Travis Roy.
Why He Was Fearless
Born in Yarmouth, Maine, Travis Roy was raised in an athletic family. By the time he was 20 months old, he was already on his first pair of skates, and he was displaying a natural talent for the sport as well. Travis loved everything about it, from the sound of the skates grinding into the ice to the camaraderie. It was no surprise he had his eyes set on becoming a college hockey player at Boston university.
Growing up in this part of the country, every boy who plays hockey dreams of playing for Boston University, so making the team with a big deal, but his first (and only) season for the team was in 1995; his freshman year. During his first game while trying to check a player, the player moved and Travis ended up hitting his head on the check boards, breaking his C4-5 vertebrae in the process.
He knew right away he was permanently paralyzed, and it was a huge blow for the team, his family and the greater Boston hockey community. Travis has been able to recover some movement over the years, such as the ability to move his right arm, but he is still quite dependent on others, and it was this that spurred him to found the Travis Roy Foundation in 1997.
The foundation has raised several million dollars. Half of the funds they receive go directly to spinal cord injury research projects, and the other half helps with the quality of life for people with spinal cord injuries in the area, from buying them home lifts so they can live independently to buying rehab equipment for the new Project Walk facility in Boston.
After his injury, Travis also went back to college and in 1997 he wrote a book, 11 Seconds That Changed My Life, where he discussed his injury and life post-injury. It takes a lot of courage to put yourself out there in a book, and Travis Roy did it.
What Happened Next?
In addition to running his foundation, the Travis was an esteemed speaker, speaking on motivational issues at corporations, schools and conferences, helping to spread the message about perseverance and the importance of attitude. The Travis Roy Foundation however was by far his biggest accomplishment. Sadly, in 2020 at the age of 45, Travis passed away due to due complications that arose after a surgery he required to maintain his health as a quadriplegic. The hockey world mourned his loss greatly, as did his family and the entire SCI community. We are happy to report is foundation will continue to go strong.
– Remembering Travis Roy’s legacy
Videos:
– Travis Roy on Being Disabled
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