After working as the Vermont Wiffle Ball Tournament Director for 7 years, her passion for the Travis Roy Foundation brought her to join the Foundation as their very first Director in 2009. She quickly jumped into improving our efficiency and effectiveness.

Marge has guided the growth of the organization by bringing in a staff of diligent and enthusiastic volunteers. She is proud to work with each and every one of them as they make significant contributions in bettering the lives of others. Marge has also engaged donors through various communication mediums, and is currently focusing on corporate sponsorships, fundraising, and establishing SCI research initiatives.

Marge lives in Vermont with her husband. In her spare time she can be found hiking, snowshoeing, gardening, learning Italian and enjoying her grandchildren.

Email: moppold@travisroyfoundation.org

Paula was teaching at Boston University in the Department of Physical Therapy and the Department of Health Sciences and working as a physical therapist when Travis had his injury and when he returned to BU to complete his education. Their relationship has progressed over the years from Physical Therapist and patient to a great friendship that includes their families. Because of Paula’s interest in neuroscience, Travis frequently called on her with questions about current research. In the fall of 2010, Paula officially became the Research Liaison for the Foundation and meets with researchers throughout the country to learn as much as she can about the progress towards the cure for spinal cord injuries and reports her findings back to Travis and the Board of Trustees.

Paula is in the midst of a career change and is studying to be a sign language interpreter, but is still thrilled to be involved with the Foundation during this very exciting time as researchers strive for the cure.

Email: research@travisroyfoundation.org

At the age of eleven Meg not only witnessed a childhood friend break her neck in a diving accident, but also the generous donations, funds, and accommodations set up to make her top-notch progress and rehabilitation possible. During that time Meg read Travis’ book, Eleven Seconds, fell in love and knew immediately that the Travis Roy Foundation is where she could be a part of an immediate and long-lasting impact on the lives of many individuals.

She joined The Foundation in the spring of 2010 assisting with communication initiatives: attending events, researching and interviewing grant recipients, writing feature stories and editing press releases and newsletters.

Meg is a 2010 graduate of Boston University’s College of Communication. She is originally from New Jersey and currently resides in Boston, her favorite city.  In her spare time, Meg enjoys traveling, reading, playing/watching sports, and anything involving graphic design.

Email: media@travisroyfoundation.org

As a junior in college, I attended a talk by Travis and was immediately struck by his ability to inspire myself and others studying the science of SCI through his own story and those of others affected by spinal cord injury. His talk that day and his realistic optimism changed my perspective on my own passion for neuroscience and medicine.

Since then, I have been excited about being part of an organization that impacts both the basic science of SCI and the everyday lives of those it affects. My current work is with a particular part of the online fundraising efforts of the Foundation – the 24 Club.

I am currently a senior at Harvard College with the intention of pursuing a medical degree and studying neuroscience after graduation. When not in class, I can usually be found at work in a research lab studying neuoregeneration, running, reading or cheering for the Red Sox!

Email: fundraising@travisroyfoundation.org

Having first volunteered with the Travis Roy Foundation in 2009, it took reading Travis’ Eleven Seconds to convince Christina she wanted to be involved with the Foundation on a regular basis. Wanting to help spread the word about how the Foundation helps improve the quality of life for spinal cord injury survivors, Christina offered her social media expertise to the organization.“Being a part of the Travis Roy Foundation has really opened my eyes to how inaccessible our communities are to people in wheelchairs. It’s a great feeling knowing you’re helping someone regain their independence.”In addition to volunteering with the Foundation, Christina is helping organize charitable giving and volunteering among her coworkers. She is an avid yoga practitioner and amateur botanical photographer.

Heather Whitener has been volunteering at the Travis Roy Foundation for two and a half years. She was a recipient of a grant that allowed her to purchase a standing frame. Heather was well aware of Travis’ story and grateful for his generosity so she wrote him a thank you letter. Travis called Heather and asked her if she would like to volunteer for the foundation. Heather was honored at the proposal, and has been writing grant profiles ever since.Heather loves meeting new people and connecting with grant recipients. “The people I’ve met through the TRF have tremendous willpower and are trying to obtain independence and normalcy despite their spinal cord injuries. There is a common bond and infinite understanding between individuals with spinal cord injuries. Connecting with these inspiring people makes volunteering amazingly worthwhile.”Heather lives in Dayton, Ohio with her sister and nephew. She is a professional counselor who works with children. In her spare time she loves to read, paint, write, and hang out with family especially her nieces and nephews.

Growing up, Alyson watched her Uncle struggle with a spinal cord injury. At the age of 14, he was on the parallel bars in gym class when he fell and broke his neck, leaving him paralyzed from the neck down.  After his injury, while in intensive care, doctors said he would never be able to survive without life support. Six months later, he was taken off life support and began living at home. Despite the daily struggles of living with his injury, he always stayed unbelievably positive and constantly had a smile on. Alyson watched him thrive through the support of his friends and family as he received exceptional care, made possible by their efforts.

While attending high school at Tabor Academy, Alyson learned of Travis Roy and his story- how he turned his negative situation into a positive one and continues to help others living similarly to him enhance their lives. It is this can-do attitude that reminds Alyson of her Uncle. It is the inspiration that instills hope inside of her for others and has driven her to volunteer today.

Alyson is a third-year student at Northeastern University studying Graphic Design. She is from Duxbury, MA and is currently living in Boston. Alyson enjoys spending time with friends and family, playing and watching sports, sailing, drawing and painting, and listening to music.”

Dan Busler found his way to The Travis Roy Foundation though his children’s love of ice hockey. In particular, his son’s interest in Travis and the inspiration Travis was for him through his book “Eleven Seconds” .

As fate would have it, Dan was photographing a corporate event where Travis was speaking in 2011 and so he invited his son to come to meet Travis. As Dan puts it “Hearing Travis speak that day about his injury, his work to help others and then seeing my son speak with Travis had a huge impact on both my son and me. I knew that I wanted to be involved in any way that I could.”