Help Marc out of his wheelchair

"Mama, papa, please help me!

I want to get back on my feet again.

I don't want to be in a wheelchair anymore, but I'm so scared! "

Our hearts sank again. Marc was crying his eyes out.......

Hearing Marc speak these heart-breaking words led us to swallow our pride and seek help for him and set up a fundraiser campaign to appeal to our family, friends, and anyone who can find it in their hearts to help us.

Marc's story

Hello, I am Marc; I was born and grew up in Praia da Luz, Portugal, where I still live.

I have a big vision for my life and want to be an inspiration to others. I am 18 years old and love playing the piano, painting, karate, and running on the beach, splashing in the water. I haven't been able to do the last two for a long time, and I want to get better to enjoy my life again.

I want to get better! Not only for myself but so that I can show others with disabilities and health problems that so much more is possible. My parents have always believed in me and my potential and encouraged me to pursue my dreams. They taught me how to read and write - I speak two languages. (English and Portuguese)

For those of you who don't know, I was born with Down Syndrome, but that doesn´t mean I am less capable. I can do anything I set my mind to. The next thing I am determined to do is to get better and walk again without support.

I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease and psoriasis and then later on psoriatic arthritis, which means my joints and muscles are deteriorating and making it hard for me to do the things I love and enjoy; even daily tasks like walking to the bathroom is hard, sometimes impossible to do alone.

Since September 2021, my health has gone downhill, and now I am stuck in a wheelchair.

My muscles are getting weaker as time goes by. This is not the life I want for myself and I know there is a way for me to heal and get better again with the help of a wonderful man called Patrick Matthews - an experienced Bowen practitioner who gets amazing results. He used to have a Bowen Therapy clinic here in Portugal and treated me when I was younger, which helped to keep my whole system in balance, but sadly he returned to England about ten years ago. Afterwards, we tried different Bowen therapists without success. It was not Patrick.....

Patrick is confident that he can help me. He said that I would need to be in the UK for three months to have regular treatments - of course, as with everything there is no guarantee but at least there will be no harm done and it can only have positive effects. We planned to go to the UK in November this year. But due to circumstances this will be postponed to January/February 2023, for which we need your help to make it possible.

My parents have done a lot of research and have put me on a strict diet full of nature's goodness and supplements. This helps a lot - the inflammation is very slowly disappearing, a few patches of psoriasis are clearing and I have almost no pain.

When I am in the UK I will also have to be treated by other therapists for my fears and anxiety. My mum and dad have told me that it will cost a lot of money which they don't have. They both work very hard and care for me 24/7.

I also want to be trained in Bowen Therapy or a similar type of bodywork and also hypnotherapy, so that I can help others in need in the future and make a difference in their and this world.

Maybe we could meet one day in our beautiful village of Praia da Luz, without my wheelchair, and walk along the beach together. I would love that!

Marc, xxx

Marc's parents

Hi, we are Paul and Joanna, and are happy that you are reading Marc’s story. We are grateful that you have taken the time to do so. It has been very tough for Marc to see his health decline like this and end up in a wheelchair. It has been very hard on us as well. We are loving, hard-working, caring parents and of course want only the best for Marc.

We believe that with the right help Marc can and will get back on his feet, walk with his friends and even enjoy playing in the sea and do karate again one day.

We always research how we can help our son, and do our very best to make life as pain-free and enjoyable as possible. We truly believe he can make it out of his wheelchair.

Marc is a very intelligent and loving young man, with a lot of potential and dreams. We want him to live a long and happy life, so when last year his physical state worsened we found ourselves in a difficult situation. What to do? There must be an answer! There must be an alternative!

Let's help Marc get better

We are made in the image of God. We are powerful beings. We all have the innate ability to heal. Marc has already shown some progress from the physical exercise and osteopathic help he is getting every week, but it's not enough. He is very stiff; his hamstrings are chronically tight, so his legs are bent, and he can't straighten them.

We are so proud of him for always believing in his future!

If Marc's story has touched a chord with you in any way and you are in a fortunate position and wish to help, we would be very grateful. We would appreciate anything you can spare! Failing that, just spread and share our story - we never know how far it may reach. Either way, we will keep you informed on his progress through this page, his Youtube channel, and the other social media channels. We would love for you to join him on his journey!

Why go to the UK?

Many of you might think:

"Why go to the UK ?"

" Why can't these treatments be done in Portugal ?"

The answer to this would fill another 2 A4 pages. So in summary:

We have exhausted all viable possibilities and options here in Portugal and as said before we believe that Patrick Matthews is the right person to help. He also has connections to other therapists that can help us to continue our journey in the UK.

Patrick indicated that Marc had lost his way!

(Bowen Technique is a form of therapy that involves gentle stretching of the fascia and is designed to stimulate the nerve pathways, which allows a "conversation" to take place between different nervous systems of the body.)

It is time for a new future full of hope and greatness. Sometimes, life throws many obstacles on our path, and we need a helping hand. We believe that with this help, Marc can heal and rise out of the ashes!

Any donations for Marc’s Treatments are greatly appreciated.

Thank you so much.

Paul & Joanna

How will the donations be used? !! (updated 16 November ) !!

* Flights to and throughout the UK: Ryanair flights three pax € 1.000 !!! Will be € 500

* Wheelchair-friendly transportation: Based on car hire VW Sharan, Enterprise.com

For approx. Three months € 17.000 !!! We got offered a special rate € 3.500 !!! :-)

* Accommodation: Three months approx. € 7.000 !!Now special rates starting from

€800 p/Mth equals .. € 2.400

*Treatments:

1. Bowen therapy by Patrick Matthews http://bowtechpro.com/

2. Anxiety

3. Hypnosis

4. Physiotherapy

5. Hospital visits

6. NLP

1-6: approx. € 5.200

* Travel and other insurances: € 1.500

* Supplements: € 3.600 Based on a yearly cost.

* After treatments when back home, including strength training with Daniel Brack

https://titanfitnessalgarve.com/: € 2.880 based on a yearly cost.

* Bowen Technique course fees: € 2.500 (To be determined with Patrick M.)

* Healing hypnosis training: € 3.000 approx.

All the above adds up to a total of € 25.080

We have estimated that we need to raise approximately € 77.000

The difference between (the budgeted above costs, € 25.080 and € 77.000 total aim) equals € 51.920 . This amount we want to invest in the near future in a therapy practice where Marc will work as a practitioner using Bowen technique, hypnosis treatment and will also serve as an info centre where similar cases as Marc is in can reach out for help and information.

We have a big challenge ahead, but with everyone’s help, we will get there.

We are more than happy to answer your questions.

Portugal - Sofia Gomes Almeida, has been babysitting and coaching Marc since he was a toddler.

UK - Tanya and Philip Powell have known Marc since he was a baby and are

desperate to help.

Patrick Matthews http://bowtechpro.com/

NEWLY ADDED MAY 2024: Jay Wortelboer from the USA

We are grateful for your generous donations to our quest to help get Marc back on his feet. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your time reading our story.

Wishing you and your family good health and happiness.

Marc and family