On April 06, 2012 our lives were turned upside down. My son Matt age 16, has been plagued by headaches and migraines since the age of 10. It started as a migraine that night and when I checked on him at 9:06 p.m I found my son stiff as a board and in a seizure. That was the night I found out what an AVM was. He had a massive brain bleed, the AVM had ruptured, sending blood throughout his brain. Emergency surgery was performed to relieve the pressure and the next day we were life flighted to OHSU hospital,where we spent the next 5 weeks wondering what was to come. 3 brain surgeries later and what seemed like an eternity, my son was finally waking up. Mentally my son is the same, what has been affected the most is the physical aspect of things. Left side paralysis and he only has use of the right arm for now. He has a trach which has become a nightmare. Granulation tissue from trach is blocking his airway which has left him speechless for the moment. He also has a stomach peg which is how he eats, drinks, and gets his medications. It's going to take surgery to remove the nightmare which is the trach. It's the only thing I regret agreeing to thus far but hindsight is 20/20. He is my greatest love and one of the strongest people I know. He is upbeat and positive throughout this entire ordeal. He has taught me patience as well as the will to never give up. The only thing he wants is to be able to do is skateboard again! It has been his passion in life since he was 5 years old. My son has skateboard video's on VIMEO.COM as well as Youtube, check him out : Matt Hankey will thrash again!!!He is receiving PT, OT, and speech therapies weekly and slowly his left side is responding.please keep him in your thought and prayers this a is going to be a long journey which has just begun. All donations received will go to living expenses and anything else that can better his quality of life right now. I was employed full-time before all this happened but since I have been taking care of him 24/7 our income has been cut in half. I enjoy taking care of him because it let's me see all the little miracles we take for granted on a daily basis! I love you Matt you are my heart always!!!
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PLEASE ANYONE HELP HE NEEDS ALL THE HELP HE CAN GET MATT IS A WONDERFUL PERSON AND SO VERY SMART HE NEEDS TO HEAL SO HE CAN GET BACK TO SCHOOL,LIFE,AND FULLFILL HIS DREAMS ANYTHING HELPS IM A FRIEND OF HIS MOMS SHE HAS ALSP BEEN PUT THROGH QUITE A BIT HERSELF IN THE LAST 5 MONTHS
posted by Deanna Luther 9 months ago
From an old UK skater to a young US skater. You're an outstanding athlete. The way you skate shows that you'll beat this set back, and it seems you have the support of a great family. I hope my small contribution helps speed you back to the pools and parks and the family that care about you. Heal up soon.
posted by Ben Gordon 9 months ago
Please help Matt, he needs it!
posted by Alexander Hathaway II 9 months ago
HOPEFULLY WE ALL CAN HELP OUT IN SOME WAY OR ANOTHER IM THINKING ABOUT YOU GUYS ILL B OFF TOMORROW BY 1PM SO I CAN COME BY IF U NEED ME TOO
posted by Deanna Luther 10 months ago
Dear Handsome, This is aunty Amina. Please know that we think about you every day and our prayers are always for you. Personally, I can’t wait to hear your smart alec remarks again or the silly smirk on your face when I say, we are going blueberry picking or no hotdog allowed for dinner. Isabel and I went blueberry picking this past Saturday. We talked about you a lot and really wished that you were with us. Albeit, kicking and screaming that it is a lame activity and that you can’t wait to leave. You are stubborn and very resilient; show this AVM what you really are made of. Outsmart it, smart mouth it, smirk at it and run it out of town. Show it that you are not to be messed with and that you’ve got serious skateboarding business to take care of. We love and miss you deeply and I really can hardly wait to see you soon. Get well soon, handsome. Love Aunty Amina
posted by Amie Ceesay 10 months ago
http://vimeo.com/30295389 Some more skating!
posted by Haydn Millner 10 months ago
http://vimeo.com/45475906 Matt Skating!
posted by Haydn Millner 10 months ago
matt is so strong what a horriable thing to happen to a wonderful young man the three of you are in my thoughts and i know he will get stronger with time in the mean time your doing a great job mellissa
posted by Deanna Luther 10 months ago
please help our cause
posted by Melissa Yachovic 10 months ago