Travis Roy Addresses Overcoming Challenges with Millbrook Community

Travis Roy’s visit was a result of him reaching out to Millbrook in care and support of the Allen family. Girls varsity hockey coach, Ana Steele-Norton, was introduced to Mr. Roy through a friend. After learning about Ed Allen, Mr. Roy not only donated to the Allen Family Fund and reached out to the Allen family personally, but also shared that he would be willing to support Millbrook in whatever way our community needed. Ana and co-coach, Meghan Grover, were moved by Mr. Roy’s passion for hockey, message about perseverance, and support of the Allen family. Wanting to learn more about Mr. Roy’s life story, they decided to read his book, Eleven Seconds, and encouraged their team to do the same. 

 

“Roy’s story is about the love for athletics and the never-die spirit,” says, Ana. “In realizing how motivating and helpful his story was to our grieving team, we wanted to share his message with the larger Millbrook community and were honored when he accepted our invitation to address the student body.”

 

Roy’s story is one of tragedy, perseverance, and hope. He was a promising young hockey player who achieved his dream of earning a spot on the Boston University men’s hockey team. Only eleven seconds into his first game, he was part of a freak accident on the ice that resulted in him being forced into the dashboards and consequently, paralyzed.

 

Facing ultimate disappointment and an overwhelming new challenge, Roy found the stamina and hope to reclaim a fulfilling life despite his debilitating injury and inability to continue to fulfill his dream of playing hockey. He established the Travis Roy Foundation, which is dedicated to research and one-on-one assistance for spinal injury cases, and he also wrote his book, Eleven Seconds.

 

During his address to Millbrook, Roy discussed his life and what he has learned throughout his journey. His message being that it is how we handle the unexpected challenges in life that define us, not the challenges themselves.

“That’s the challenge that chose me,” he said about his accident and becoming a quadriplegic. “See, I believe in life that there are times when we choose our challenges and we set our goals, and there are other times when the challenges simply choose us. It’s what we do in the face of those challenges that defines who we are.”

 

Roy’s address was honest, emotional, and inspiring and received a standing ovation from the audience in appreciation for his time and the sharing of his story.

“If you don’t think you can make a difference, let my life be a lesson to you. I come here today to try to make a difference in your life in hopes that you might do the same for someone else,” said Mr. Roy. He certainly made a huge difference at Millbrook and words cannot express our gratitude for his support and time. Thank you, Travis Roy.

 

Photos from his visit and audio from his speech will soon be available on our website.