I Am the Central Park Jogger: A Story of Hope and Possibility

 By: Trisha Meili

On April 19, 1989, Trisha Meili was out for a nighttime jog in New York City when she was brutally attacked, raped, and left for dead. Trisha, who became known worldwide as “The Central Park Jogger,” was beaten so severely that she could only be identified by a ring with a golden bow she always wore. With a 75-80% loss of blood volume, she was given less than a 50% chance of survival and last rites were administered. Miraculously, Trisha clung to life and made a recovery that was against all odds. In her book, I Am the Central Park Jogger, Trisha recounts the story of her recovery to “…turn something truly horrible into something positive,” and to use her experience “as the basis for inspiration” for a world that once comforted her with prayers, letters, gifts, and kindness.

Walking us through the immediate aftermath of the attack, Trisha notes how crucial it was for her to remain entirely focused on her recovery, rather than letting self-pity, anger, or the daunting road ahead discourage her. As she writes, “Each sign of improvement, no matter how minuscule, spurred me forward… I held on to them firmly, focusing on what I had achieved rather than on how insignificant the achievement was.” Her recovery was not defined by one major breakthrough, but rather the accumulation of all the small victories. Whether it was buttoning her shirt all by herself or being able to recall what she had eaten for breakfast, these achievements made her strive for more.

Nevertheless, for having sustained such severe brain trauma, setbacks and complications were inevitable. Trisha describes the terror she felt while she was reading a book during rehabilitation and could not remember anything she read on the previous page. It was in moments like this where the encouragement from those around her helped most. Everyone from doctors, nurses, and therapists, to family, friends, and even strangers gave her hope “and from hope there emerges possibility.”

The combination of hard work, a focus on the present, and encouragement from others helped Trisha to recover far beyond anyone’s expectations. Through her struggles and triumphs, Trisha learned that “healing is as much a function of the heart as it is of medicine.” Breaking 14 years of anonymity, I Am the Central Park Jogger introduces Trisha to those whose hearts she can inspire with hope. As she concludes, “I realized: I could make a difference in the lives of others, just as others had made a difference in my recovery. I am a woman who has been inspired by the capacity of the human spirit to be well. Now I wanted to reach other peoples’ spirits, other peoples’ hearts. I started my book.”

Review by Greg McGee, contact him at gmcgee@minutesformemories.org

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Eleven Seconds: A Story of Tragedy, Courage, & Triumph

By:  Travis Roy with E.M. Smith

As far as Travis Roy was concerned, he was born to play hockey. Growing up with a Dad who coached and managed a rink, Travis began playing when he was only four. His talents—developed through years of slap shots, skating drills, and face offs—landed Travis a coveted spot with the reigning national championship team at Boston University. When Travis stepped out onto the ice in his first game as a BU Terrier he was truly living his dream. Little did he know, 11 seconds was all it would last. At full speed, Travis went head first into the boards and shattered his fourth and fifth vertebrae, severing his spinal cord. In the blink of an eye, this freak accident forever changed life as he knew it.

Written only a year and a half after his injury, Eleven Seconds recounts the many challenges Travis faced adjusting to life as a quadriplegic. Even after grueling surgeries and months of therapy, Travis was essentially incapable of moving any part of his body below the shoulders. His goal of playing professional hockey had been cut short and he was confronted with the reality that he would never walk again. From his perspective, we witness that the psychological transitions were sometimes harder than the physical. As Travis writes, “The fundamental problem was that I didn’t know who I was anymore.”

However, through the process of grieving the identity and life that he lost, Travis found a new sense of hope and determination. Over time, he realized that “… the pre-accident Travis Roy wasn’t really so very different from the paralyzed Travis Roy.” When Travis began to look past the things that he couldn't do and focus on the things he could, it didn’t matter so much that he was no longer a hockey player. Travis found ways to pursue old passions and even discovered his new one for painting. It was with this determination that Travis returned to Boston University and continued to lead a fulfilling life. Today, Travis is a college graduate, a highly-regarded motivational speaker, and the founder of a non-profit organization aimed at helping survivors of spinal cord injuries. His successes are undeniable.

Travis is a living testament to the power of hope. He provides a voice of encouragement for those in similar situations to remain active in their pursuits. Through his story, he teaches us all to be more understanding of paralysis and makes us aware of the many ways we can help. Eleven Seconds is an inspirational book that will leave a tremendous impact on anyone who reads it.

Review by Greg McGee, contact him at gmcgee@minutesformemories.org

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