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March 7, 2006
Travis Roy STATEMENT ON THE DEATH of Dana Reeve “I was shocked and saddened to learn of Dana Reeve’s death last night following her courageous battle with lung cancer. Her loss, much like her husband’s a year and a half ago, leaves a tremendous void. On behalf of the Travis Roy Foundation and myself, I offer the Reeve children, Will, Matthew and Alexandra, my heartfelt sympathy. When you are faced with adversity, as the Reeve family has been for much of the past 11 years, your choice is to face it head on with strength and courage or surrender to the pain and injustice. Much as she did in the ten years following Chris’ 1995 injury, Dana faced her illness with quiet dignity and courage. No one would have faulted her if she had withdrawn from public life following Chris death or during her own illness. Instead, she showed uncommon strength and grace, continuing to dedicate herself to the cause and Foundation that meant so much to Chris. Following his death, Dana picked up the torch as a powerful advocate on behalf of hundreds of thousands of spinal cord injury survivors. For that I am forever grateful. Prior to Christopher Reeve’s injury in May 1995, six months before my own, there was little hope for people who had suffered spinal cord injuries. The Reeves turned Chris’ injury into a crusade on behalf of others who did not have a voice, raising spirits along with millions of dollars for research. Together, they taught us to live for today but never lose sight of tomorrow. To always hold on to hope. I will remember Dana Reeve for her quiet compassion, uncommon strength and unyielding optimism and courage in even the most difficult circumstances. She will be sadly missed.” -- Travis Roy
TRAVIS ROY: On October 20, 1995, only eleven seconds into the first shift of his college hockey career at Boston University, Travis Roy shattered his fourth cervical vertebra, severely damaging his spinal cord. He is now a quadriplegic, with no feeling below his shoulders and movement only in his right arm. With limited control of his right bicep, Travis is able to conduct simple yet key tasks such as operating the joystick of his wheelchair. Travis has faced his disability with the same sense of optimism and determination that distinguished his hockey career. A May 2000 graduate of Boston University with a degree in public relations, he is a popular motivational speaker and is actively involved in the activities of the Travis Roy Foundation. In 1998, he published a book, Eleven Seconds, based on his life. In 2004, he made his debut as a television college hockey analyst with WMTW-TV8 in Portland, ME, and in 2005, he worked as a color analyst during ESPNU's national coverage of the 2005 NCAA D-I college hockey playoffs. TRAVIS ROY FOUNDATION: Since 1997 the Travis Roy Foundation has distributed more than $1.5 million in individual grants and to research projects and rehabilitation institutions across North America. The individual grant funds have been used to modify vans and to purchase wheelchairs, computers, ramps, shower chairs, and other adaptive equipment to help quadriplegics and paraplegics live their lives. Donations to the Travis Roy Foundation are tax-deductible to the full extent as allowed by law. To learn more spinal cord injuries, please visit the Travis Roy Foundation online at www.travisroyfoundation.org and click on “SCI Resources” or “For the Recently Injured.”
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