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Matt Brown inspired to continue the legacy of Travis Roy

BOSTON — Matt Brown and Travis Roy were connected in many ways. Both determined, motivated and dedicated to enhancing the life of individuals with spinal cord injuries and their families.

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And now that Roy has passed away, Brown is more determined than ever to continue the legacy that Roy started and continue it in his friends memory

“Travis Roy gave us our first handicapped van after my injury”, said Brown during a recent interview.

Brown and Roy were bonded by both being in an unwanted club. Both young men paralyzed in similar hockey accidents 15 years apart. Brown was paralyzed in 2010 when he crashed into the boards in his very first Norwood High School varsity hockey game as a 15 year old sophomore.

Roy was paralyzed in 1995 when he crashed into the boards just 11 seconds into his very first college hockey shift at Boston University.

Shortly after his injury, the Travis Roy Foundation was established and dedicated to enhancing the life of individuals with spinal cord injuries and their families. In the past 25 years the foundation has helped more than 2100 families and counting.

Brown and his family were helped greatly by Travis after he became paralyzed.

“Travis was the shining light for so many families during their darkest days”, said Brown. “No one will ever fill his shoes with what he has done but we are going to work hard with the Matt Brown Foundation to try and continue his legacy and the great work he has done”