Boston University and the Travis Roy Foundation have created a scholarship fund that honors the life and legacy of the late Travis Roy, offering awards to BU students learning paralysis and spinal twine accidents.
Roy, a promising freshman BU hockey participant, was paralyzed 11 seconds into the primary hockey recreation of his school profession.
With the assistance of rehab professionals, he returned to the college 10 months after his harm, earned a level in communications, and commenced a profession as a motivational speaker whereas serving to others dwelling with paralysis. In 2020, Roy died after being a quadriplegic for 25 years.
Now, BU’s Sargent College and the Travis Roy Foundation — which Roy launched in 1996 — have created the Travis M. Roy Endowed Scholarship Fund, established by a $1 million reward from the inspiration.
“This is a tangible living legacy to Trav’s life and impact, pursuing his quest for ‘how good can I be’ and enabling Sargent’s programs and its students to do the same,” Roy’s mother and father Brenda and Lee stated in a press release. “The Travis Roy Endowed Scholarship Fund highlights Travis’ passion for helping others and his life of gratitude in the face of adversity.”
The fund will present annual scholarship awards to a number of doctoral candidates enrolled in BU Sargent College’s Department of Occupational Therapy or Department of Physical Therapy.
Roy and Sargent College have a long-standing relationship. When he returned to BU after his harm, Roy labored with Sargent bodily therapists and occupational therapists to proceed his restoration and assist make his dorm room extra accessible.
In 2015, Sargent College Dean Chris Moore introduced a $2.5 million reward from a gaggle of nameless donors to ascertain the Travis Roy Professorship in Rehabilitation Sciences, at the moment held by Sargent Physical Therapy Professor LaDora Thompson whose analysis focuses on muscle weak spot and dysfunction.
“The Travis M. Roy Endowed Scholarship Fund will be an enduring celebration of Travis’ relationship with BU and Sargent College,” Moore stated. “It reflects our shared commitment to supporting everyone’s participation in their lives and communities to the fullest extent possible.”
Both the Travis Roy Scholarship Fund and the Professorship at Sargent College are endowed in perpetuity, a part of Roy’s legacy to enhance the lives of these with spinal twine accidents and his perception within the essential work of rehabilitation professionals.
“BU always meant so much to Travis, and was so good to him over the years,” stated Roy’s sister and brother-in-law Tobi and Keith VanOrden. “The idea that this scholarship will, in Trav’s name, help people continue to give back, both to BU and to spinal cord injury survivors, means so much to all of us.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com”