a great success

Angela Curley, a former Matrix client, knows first-hand the challenges, the struggles, and the often uphill battles many parents face as they try to access systems and secure services for their children with special needs. She also knows firsthand that in spite of these challenges, no dream is too big or too lofty for our children; case in point -- this year her son and his team, the Arizona Cardinals, played in Super Bowl XLIII.

Angela Curley and her son, Travis Laboy.

Angela knew early on that her son, Travis, needed services, but she struggled to get him tested through the local school district. Eventually she sought outside testing and he received a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), the first of many diagnoses he would receive over the years. After learning the results of his testing she called Matrix.

Using the parent-to-parent model that Matrix still uses today, Angela was mentored by another parent, Barbara Alexander, one of the founders of Matrix Parent Network. “After meeting with Barbara I knew what my rights were and I had a better understanding of how to advocate for my child. I felt much more confident walking into my son’s first IEP meeting – in fact, Barbara mentored me throughout that meeting. I realized if you’re open to learn, pay attention, and do your homework, you can lead the meeting instead of being led. Matrix taught me how to be in control and truly advocate for my child – something that has made all the difference for him.”

Travis was always extremely active and energetic, requiring Angela to find activities that would allow him to “burn off some of his energy”, but his future as a professional football player was not always apparent, nor was it easy to obtain. In addition to struggling in the classroom, Travis had difficulty with organized sports and authority figures in general. Angela recalls a time in middle school when she was told that her son would never be able to play organized sports because he was “uncoachable.” Angela knew in her heart how talented he was though, and she knew that if coaches and teachers could see his gifts and work with him in ways that acknowledged his differences, he would be a true leader. She negotiated with coaches and advocated for Travis to be able to participate. She also refused to view his diagnosis as a deficit; in their house ADD didn’t stand for Attention Deficit Disorder – it stood for “Athlete Determined to Dominate.” She embraced his differences and sought out ways to nurture his talents over the years.

Travis on the football field.

After attending Marin Catholic High School, Travis was offered several college football scholarships. He ended up traveling back to his place of birth to play Defensive End for the University of Hawaii. After college he was drafted in the second round by the Tennessee Titans, and later, as a free agent, he was traded to the Arizona Cardinals, where he now finds himself poised to play in the Super Bowl.

Wanting to give back to the special needs community, Travis has started his own foundation. The Travis LaBoy Foundation for Supporting Autistic Causes and Kids(S.A.C.K.) is created to support a combination of educational, recreational and physical activities designed to support children with autism and families of children with autism. In a recent speech to learning disabled athletes in Hawaii, Travis challenged these kids by asking, "Why try to fit in when you were made to stand out?" He believes their unique contributions are valuable and should be acknowledged. Clearly his mother’s unwavering belief in him and her refusal to view his differences as a deficit have helped him achieve greatness, not only on the football field, but in life as well.

When asked what advice she would give to Matrix clients just beginning this journey with their children, Angela answers, “Learn to be the best advocate you can for your child -- Matrix is there to help you do this. Know that you will face challenges. Know that it will be hard. You have to be diligent, you have to be persistent, and you have to work at it, but if you do, it will pay off in ways you could never imagine.”

To learn more about The Travis Laboy Foundation, visit: http://www.travislaboyfoundation.org/

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Story by: Colleen Shoop