{"id":93824,"date":"2024-06-13T21:20:52","date_gmt":"2024-06-14T01:20:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/?p=93824"},"modified":"2024-06-14T10:02:11","modified_gmt":"2024-06-14T14:02:11","slug":"brock-grad-walks-across-convocation-stage-after-rare-condition-left-her-paralyzed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/2024\/06\/brock-grad-walks-across-convocation-stage-after-rare-condition-left-her-paralyzed\/","title":{"rendered":"Brock grad walks across Convocation stage after rare condition left her paralyzed"},"content":{"rendered":"

Walking across the stage to receive a university degree is a major milestone in any student\u2019s life.<\/p>\n

But after six years of hard work and dedication, Sophie Roy (BA ’24, BEd ’24) wasn\u2019t sure she was going to get that chance.<\/p>\n

Two weeks before she was set to graduate from Brock University on Thursday, June 13, the 24-year-old underwent emergency spinal surgery to treat a rare condition that left her paralyzed from the waist down.<\/p>\n

Attending Convocation was left in limbo, and \u201cthat nearly broke my heart because I’ve worked so, so hard,\u201d Roy said.<\/p>\n

The Hunstville, Ont., native had been diagnosed with Cauda Equina Syndrome, a rare neurological condition that occurs when a collection of nerves that rest at the base of the spinal cord become compressed. This cuts off sensation and movement to the legs, bladder and bowel.<\/p>\n

After undergoing a major surgery to treat the condition, Roy was transferred to the Lyndhurst Centre, a Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, to undergo specialized care to regain motor and organ function.<\/p>\n

\"Two<\/a>

Sophie Roy (BA ’24, BEd ’24), left, celebrates her graduation day with her sister, Phoebe Roy (BScN ’20). Roy graduated from Brock\u2019s Concurrent Education program with a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education on Thursday, June 13.<\/p><\/div>\n

In the days leading up to her graduation from Brock\u2019s Concurrent Education program, where she would receive both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education, Roy wasn\u2019t sure when \u2014 or even if \u2014 she would walk again.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was super traumatic and really discouraging,\u201d she said. \u201cMy life had changed forever.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her father and fellow Brock graduate Jeff Roy (BAdmin \u201986) said progress happened incrementally.<\/p>\n

\u201cFive days ago, we didn’t know if she could even come [to graduation] in a wheelchair,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Then, Roy sat up.<\/p>\n

She stood.<\/p>\n

And finally, she began to walk again.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne day she started to walk, and then more, and then more,\u201d he said. \u201cShe was moving her foot an inch, and then oh, wait a minute, let\u2019s go a little farther.\u201d<\/p>\n

When it was finally time to take the walk across the stage, he and Roy\u2019s mother, Janice, watched eagerly in the audience.<\/p>\n