A Toronto Maple Leafs Super-fan Fulfills His Lifelong Dream
Mick Roberts’ biggest passion was first realized in his in-home hospital bed.
When the Make-A-Wish Foundation gifted Mick — who battles crippling, degenerative Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy — with a computer and television, he quickly developed a love for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Mick’s story starts in Bishop’s Falls, Newfoundland. Since the age of three years old, he has been battling Duchenne.
His fight nearly came to an end five years ago when he was unable to eat and dramatically dropped 40 pounds.
Since then, Mick has needed 24-hour care, does not have use of his arms and legs, cannot speak, and requires a tracheostomy tube and ventilator to breathe.
This disease has taken almost everything away from him, but it hasn’t taken away his unwavering spirit for the Leafs. In his bedroom, it’s not the numerous tubes or hospital bed that catch your eye but rather the sea of blue and white Toronto Maple Leaf memorabilia.
Mick’s mother, Mary, describes the Leafs as more than just a hockey team; she says they are a will–the will for Mick to keep fighting. Mary says, “Every second of Mick’s days are filled with ‘The Leafs.’ He watches Leafs games, Leafs videos, Leafs Lunch (which he dearly loves along with the host, Andi Petrillo), Tim and Sid, and Sportsnet. Mick cries when the Leafs lose and gets so excited when they win. He gets a great night’s sleep when they win.”
A few Leafs fans from a Leafs’ Fan Facebook Group, including a woman named Sandra, were touched by Mick’s story. Sandra contacted Mick’s mother and came up with a plan to make his dream a reality. Sandra reached out to Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) and told them about Mick and his dream.
MLSE was touched by Mick’s story and wanted to help, so they invited Mick and his family for a VIP Leafs’ experience at the Scotiabank Arena. The only issue after receiving the invitation was getting Mick and his family all the way from Newfoundland to Toronto by land and sea—and fast, as the invitation was for just a week away.
With quick fundraising in mind to make Mick’s dream a reality, Sandra turned to what she had heard was a very effective method and started a GoFundMe.
The Journey of a Lifetime
Sandra created the GoFundMe so that all of the people who wanted to help make Mick’s dream a reality were able to provide their financial support quickly and easily. The response was beautiful to see: In just a few days, the GoFundMe surpassed its $6,000 goal. Mick was used to hearing about all the things he couldn’t do. But thanks to the generosity of those inspired by Mick’s spirit, he had the opportunity to embark on the journey of his lifetime.
After arriving in Toronto, Mick and his family watched the Leafs’ practice, met his idols — Auston, Mitch, and Freddie — along with the entire team at a private meet-and-greet where he got players’ photos and autographs, received a gift of a Leafs’ team jersey with the year and his last name on the back, went on a behind-the-scenes tour of the Scotiabank Arena, fist-bumped the players as they headed out to the ice for the start of the game, and then watched the game in the stands with the other fans. The next day, he visited the Hockey Hall of Fame and got Leafs swag to add to his collection.
In battling his own body, Mick has been fighting the hardest game for 25 years. This journey to Toronto was his Stanley Cup moment, which was possible thanks to the compassionate community that rallied together to provide financial support and words of encouragement and caring on GoFundMe.
And even though he was in the presence of some of the greatest athletes in the world, it’s fair to say that few have the strength, resilience, and passion that Mick possesses.
