BY TUCKER KOHLASCH -- Everybody has a dream at one point in their life. It could be a big dream like your future occupation, or it could also be a smaller dream like graduating from high school. Most young athletes dream of playing professional sports. When Travis Roy was a kid, he dreamed of playing Division One hockey and eventually going pro. In 1995 one of his dreams was realized for eleven seconds.

As a freshman, he played on the third line for Boston University in the season opener against North Dakota. Eleven seconds after his first shift he suffered a severe injury which left him paralyzed. His fourth and fifth vertebras were shattered which limited him to the use of only his head and mouth. Just imagine living your dream one moment, only to have it shattered seconds later. This accident created new dreams for Travis such as acquiring the mobility in his right hand or mastering the use of his wheelchair. To be able to feel the wind against his face as he gracefully glides across the ice, to shoot a puck at a goal for the first time in decades, and most importantly the feeling of getting up in the morning and walking around the house. However, his biggest dream of all is to find a cure for spinal cord damage.

Recently, I had the chance to meet Travis Roy when he came to talk with my sister’s AAU basketball team. At the session, Travis told us about his injury on the ice, and explained how he was able to turn his life around. With determination, supportive family and friends, and a positive attitude he is able to lead a productive life offering help to others with spinal cord injuries, and giving motivational speeches. He told us that if we stayed positive, no matter how dire the situation, we would always be okay.

Travis’ message also included his “Ten Rules of Life.” These Rules (which he says have no particular order) are as follows: be yourself, never take things for granted, set goals, resist peer pressure, respect, your friends are the most important aspect in life, love, family, pride, and knowing there are more lessons to be learned. As you can see, Travis is a special person who really understands all the important values of life. To be able to meet such a person was a life changing experience. I will carry that day with me for the rest of my life.

The Travis Roy Foundation was formed in 1997 to help people with spinal cord injuries pay for equipment or pay a few bills. A portion of the money is also donated to research to find a cure for spinal cord damage. There are several events that take place across New England every year that support the Foundation. In Vermont, there is a Whiffle Ball tournament held at “Little Fenway” in Jericho. This year, the tournament will take place from the tenth of August to the twelfth of August. I will be participating in the tournament to have fun, and to support Travis’ Foundation. There are many people with spinal cord injuries who hope that someday a cure will be found. We can help Travis and the others who dare to dream of walking again.

If you would like more information about Travis, The Travis Roy Foundation, fund raising events, or donating money, you can visit the website at www.travisroyfoundation.org