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Triumph over
tragedy: Travis
Roy's story
POMFRET — Jan. 16 Travis Roy inspired an audience at the Rectory School in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. Students and faculty gathered to hear words of wisdom, courage, and triumph of Boston University’s Travis Roy.
Travis Roy put on ice skates for the first time at the mere age of 20 months old. His passion and talent for the game of ice hockey grew rapidly. After attending Tabor Academy and many years of dedication and hard work, Roy earned a full scholarship to play ice hockey for the defending national champion Boston University. Travis was not your average athlete, but rather a hockey prodigy.
After lacing up his skates for his opening game for the Terriers on Oct. 20, 1995, Travis Roy would never skate again. Eleven seconds into his first game, he crashed into the boards and cracked his fourth and fifth cervical vertebra, paralyzing him from the neck down. Roy, a man of courage and perseverance, was forced to face reality; his life was never going to be the same.
Almost 16 years later it's clear that Roy is more than an athlete and hockey star; he’s a man of pride, honor, and respect and has become the epitome of triumph over tragedy. Although Roy is a motivational speaker, author, athlete, and respectful man, he is a fighter who will take on any battle life throws his way any given day.
“I’m a fighter, and I never give up. It’s an innate quality of mine. I always try and see the positive no matter what life throws at me.”