THE STAN TRAVIS STORY

FROM DEATH TO PERFECTION

  • One person's effort and vision to acheive what some say is impossible
  • Parents' everlasting love, hope and faith
  • Love and support of family
  • A community of people contributing and serving
  • Proof that anything is possible!
Everyone, everywhere: listen up! Here's a story of hope! There is no silver spoon in hand. You got to want it, know you can acheive it, and act as if you are acheiving it even when you think you can't. Have faith!
- Bill Rueger

In the 1960's and 1970's, Bill grew up with Stan Travis and his brothers in an average American home in an average American neighborhood 25 miles north of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Stan's dad, "Doc", was Bill's family doctor.

On February 27th, 1986, Stan Travis was a passenger in a pickup truck that overturned eight times in a near fatal car crash. Although the driver only suffered from a bruised lip and was restrained due to his seatbelt, Stan was ejected from the vehicle. He went through multiple life-threatening surgeries including the removal of his left temporal lobe, lost function in the right side of his body, lost his speech, suffered from pneumonia three times, dislocated one shoulder, broke one arm, and multiple facial bone fractures.

Stan spent five-and-a-half months at the Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital in Malvern, Pennsylvania (recognized as the best brain injury rehab hospital in the country). His surgeons, doctors, nurses, family and friends thought that he, at best, might remain in a vegetative state for the rest of his life - speechless, motionless, and almost brainless. But all those who loved him - and even Stan himself - had other plans.

Stan Travis

The Stan Travis Story - The Journey From Death to Perfection

A book by Louise Travis and Bill Rueger

Testimonial

Thank you so much for sharing The Stan Travis Story – The Journey from Death to Perfection.

I must admit, I read it more than twice! One thing that stuck in my head is when you said, "I am no one special … God will do for you what he did for me." This is a story of absolute faith. Your faith and commitment show on every page. Stan had a whole community believing in him and believing in their Higher Power! Miracles do happen – your book is proof! I know it must have been difficult to write but it was as if all the words simply poured out from your heart...

"Because of you there is someone who is thanking God today, someone who appreciates your warm and caring way, someone who is remembering the special things you do, and wishing you His blessings every day the whole year through."

Love, Lynn F.
"Happiness is a choice. It's an attitude and being grateful."
May God Bless You Always.

TIMELINE

1986

Stan is involved in a near fatal car crash where the vehicle overturned eight times, resulting in multiple life-threatening surgeries and injuries.

1989

Continuing his journey on the road to recovery, Stan regained use of his entire right side and amazingly water skied as proof of his physical and mental courage.

2000

Having acquired seizure disorders from the complications of the car accident, Stan went from suffering from an occaional few to hundreds of them, but that did not slow down his will nor strength to recover.

2011

Defying all mental, physical, and emotional odds, Stan bowled a perfect 300 game on January 25th, 2011, marking his journey from the accident a "miracle and an amazement".

2012

Two more examples of Stans intention, attention and concentration:

  • March 6, 2012, bowled a 279. All strikes except a 9-/ in the 7th frame.
  • May 16, 2012, bowled a three game 665.

2013

The Travises and Bill introduced The Stan Travis Story to the Phoenix Valley, Arizona November 2013

  • Changing Hands Book Store; Book signing - Tempe, AZ View more photos and captions here
  • November 16, 2013
    Kids and Family Fitness Day - Tempe Beach Park. The Stan Travis Story is committed to sharing their 29 year story of triumph to children and their families, active people of all ages, care providers with those of disabilities, and those with brain injuries.
    View more photos and captions here
  • November 17, 2013
    Tempe Town Lake; Ironman Triathlon: 2.4 mile swim; 112 mile bike; 26.2 mile run.
    View more photos and captions here
  • November 19, 2013
    Stan bowled a three game 597! House shoes, a house ball, falling on the first approach, this 2:01 clip are frames of Stan at his finest. Enjoy and welcome to the re-invented world of Stan Travis…from Death to Perfection!
    View more photos and captions here
    Click here to watch youtube.com/watch?v=VtaQ5CK2M88

2014

Stan's story is featured on AZ Central in a news segment titled "50 Year Old Finds Perfection After Brain Injury"

PRESENT DAY

Stan continues to bowl, learn and interact with others, becoming an inspiration to the traumatic brain-injured community.

Today, Stan has learned how to speak and walk again, along with full use of his right side. He has fully recovered a shattered leg aided by a twelve inch stainless steel plate and thirteen screws and bolts which have since been removed. He is blind in his left eye and has one-quarter vision in his right.

Stan has given many talks about his return to life and has been given numerous awards for his tremendous courage and spirit. He is an educator and endurance athlete of a different kind!

THE STAN TRAVIS STORY

AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH: Paperback, Kindle and Audio
AVAILABLE IN FRENCH: Paperback and Kindle

The Journey: The Stan Travis Story tells the story of a person's ability to rise, reinvent and achieve what some might say is impossible. It is a real story that speaks to the unconditional support of a loving family and valued friends. This book speaks to the contributions and sacrifices we all make to grow and overcome our obstacles. If we care, anything is possible!

Even though this book is about Stan Travis' story, there is another one waiting to be told. You may just find your own personal story hidden within the subtitle: A Journey From Death To Perfection.