Empower Matthew's Journey to Independence

I'm Heather, mom to Matthew, an amazing 14 year old with cerebral palsy and autism. We call CP and autism Matthew's super powers because his body and brain communicate in ways that make him unique. Because of CP and autism, Matthew has an extraordinary memory for dates and names. He is a joyful, loyal, and loving teenager who loves swimming, Five Guys hamburgers, hot cocoa, and bouncing on a giant yoga ball. He is always laughing or singing. He wakes up laughing and falls asleep laughing!

CP and autism do make his life very different from typically developing teenagers. Matthew's legs and ankles are contracted from hyper-tone (too much muscle contraction). His feet are slightly deformed. He toe walks. He has too little tone, on the other hand, in his core and hands. This means he is challenged to hold himself upright and know where he is in space. He fatigues easily and often leans on others for support. He needs lots of extra help completing tasks that most of us don't even think about: tying shoes, dressing, preparing something to eat, answering questions, writing.

When Matthew was born 3 months premature, doctors told us he would never walk and might never talk. They had never seen a brain injury as extensive as Matthew's. But Matthew is miraculous. We call it the Matthew Magic!

We credit his success to his amazing therapies. Two therapies that are life changing for Matthew are neurofeedback at Neurogenesis and adaptive, activity based training at CORE, The Center for Recovery and Exercise.

Cost Breakdown

As with all therapies that make the most impact, these are not covered by our health insurance. A 30 session course of treatment at Neurogenesis is $5000 and CORE is $120 an hour. Matthew trains two-four hours each week at CORE for a monthly cost of $960 to $1920. We travel to Maitland and Altamonte Springs from Ormond and add on gas to our costs. We're hoping Matthew will receive a CORE scholarship in September making each session $60. Cross your fingers for us!

On teachers' salaries in today's economy, we're choosing between therapy and home owner's insurance. My heart breaks thinking I can't provide these life changing therapies for Matthew.

After his first course of treatment at Neurogenesis, Matthew has been able to increase and maintain range of motion in his legs and ankles without costly and cumbersome leg braces or casts for the first time in his life. He was also able to go to school for a whole school year for the first time!

With training at CORE, Matthew increases his strength and flexibility for endurance and balance. He can walk longer and farther. Think a beach walk without a wheelchair!

I am manifesting some Matthew Magic from wonderful people like YOU! Please help empower Matthew on his journey to strength, endurance, and independence!