(NECN: John Moroney) - TravisRoy knows all about the kind of struggle Matt Brown now faces as the younghockey player tries to recover from a terrible injury on the ice.
Roy was paralyzed in 1995when he slid headfirst into the boards while playing for Boston University.
It takes a while. But Ifound the values are no different that made me who I was before the accident.My drive to reach those dreams. I'm finding that drive is still very muchinside."
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Brown broke his necklast weekend during a game when he crashed headfirst into the rink's plexiglas. The Norwood high sophomore under surgery acouple of days ago to stabilize his neck. He remains in serious condition atmass general hospital.
The biggest this isthere's this sadness. For me it was the hockey career was gone. Mayrelationship with my girlfriend, although we were good friends but thoserelationship were never the same."
The 34-year-old is now amotivation speaker and manages the Travis Roy Foundation, raising millions ofdollars for research as well as helping others with disabilities.
Roy says fundraisingwill become important to the Browns.
Roy: "It's probablythe most important thing family and friends and the community can do to make adifference in Matt's life."
A second Norwood playerwas hurt during a game dedicated to Matt Brown.
Chris OBrien suffered aserious concession. He's expected to be okay, but Norwood has postponed itsnext game. Some think they shouldnt play at all given the violent nature ofthe sport. Roy disagrees.
People get a littleparanoid. The fact the matter is people are in much more danger driving homefrom work today, than your son is out on a rink."
Travis Roy has not spoken with Matt Brown or his family. But says theywill all have to adjust to a new way of life, and it will take some time.
Credit: Beaumont Photography
