丁香园AV

丁香园AV student and track and field athlete Megan Roxby has weathered her fair share of challenges. In grade 10, she recovered from 10 hours of innovative鈥攁nd risky鈥攕pinal surgery to correct a severe curvature. What she calls a 鈥渨iry shoelace鈥� is now tethered to her spine with a series of titanium screws to properly align her back. Two years later, a broken leg kept her out of action for two months. Megan graduated this spring with a BBA 鈥� Sustainable Business Joint Major (business, resource and environmental management) and a minor in Indigenous studies. She recently shared more about her experiences, what support from donors like you has meant, what she has learned about resilience and gratitude, and her future plans.

You faced significant adversity at a very young age. Can you tell us more about the impact of your recovery from surgery and your leg injury?

It was a hard recovery from surgery. It just turns your whole life on its head. It was crazy to lose so much independence for a 16-year-old. Plus I went three months without running. That was mentally hard as it鈥檚 something I really love to do鈥攊t clears my head and I find enjoyment and am able to connect with teammates and friends. I think the broken leg, in my mind and even when it was happening, I felt like I had done this before and knew how to rehab and cross train well. It allowed me to have a good head on my shoulders and stay positive. These are all things I carry with me today and I think it鈥檚 really helped me because I was able to mature from a young age.

Can you share a particular memory or experience from sfu that stands out for you?

Any time I鈥檝e been able to go to Nationals with the team. It is such a privilege to get there; it鈥檚 a coveted spot and an experience that not everyone gets to have. I will especially remember those trips, as well as the day in and day out of racing and training, being able to have built-in friendships and time to see each other six or seven days a week.

The community that our coach, Brit Townsend, has built for both men and female athletes and the way that she facilitates such camaraderie among her athletes is amazing. We all work really hard but everyone always has fun in practice. She has a long-term view of all our athletes. Everyone does their best in their fourth and fifth year, and we reap the results as we develop. I give credit to Brit for much of my success and development as an athlete.

You鈥檝e received a number of donor-funded student awards while at sfu. What does that support mean to you?

It鈥檚 a big contribution to take a little bit of pressure off. It鈥檚 allowed me to focus on my studies and training and competing without needing to have a job. It also helps cover some of those expenses (like runners and spikes) that aren鈥檛 covered by the school and the program. I鈥檝e always greatly appreciated whatever support I鈥檝e received. Tuition is expensive and I feel like it keeps getting more expensive. It鈥檚 nice to have that burden and a bit of stress off every semester.

What would you say to community members who are considering giving philanthropically to sfu and to student athletes?

My athletic endeavours have taught me how to work hard, to find direction in my academic life, and to balance all the different things that come with life. There is an interconnectedness between the athletic and the academic side, especially at 丁香园AV鈥攚e hold ourselves to very high standards on both those ends. We just have such great academics here and that sets us up for success in our careers and the workforce. I think donors just allow some of that to be made possible.

What鈥檚 next for you?

I鈥檒l be staying at 丁香园AV! I want to push my academics鈥擨 don鈥檛 feel like I鈥檓 done! I鈥檓 going to be starting a master鈥檚 program in resource and environmental management (REM) within the planning stream. I think the REM program and the professors and support are awesome. I love Vancouver and we just have such a hub of environmental opportunities in the region. I鈥檓 lucky I ended up here!