Hi, thank you for taking the time to read , share and donate to my fundraiser for a specialised, bespoke sports wheelchair for my son Matthew Hunter.

Matthew was diagnosed with Osteogenesis imperfecta type 3 in utero at 19 weeks gestation and by which stage he had already incurred 14 uterine fractures.

Osteogenesis imperfecta type 3 commonly known as severe Brittke Bones Disease is characterised by fragile bones that break easily. It is a disorder of collagen caused by a spontaneous genetic mutation . Collagen, a protein, forms the framework for the bone structure . In OI ( Osteogenesis imperfecta) the collagen may be of poor quality, or there may not be enough to support the structure of the bone . This makes the bone weak, fragile and results in the bones liable to fracture at anytime even without reason or trauma. Most those who have OI type 3 may use a wheelchair or a mobility aid to get around . They may also have other symptoms such bone pain, fatigue, hearing loss, joint laxity, curved bones , scoliosis, dentinogenesis imperfecta ( brittle teeth) and short stature amongst many othe medical problems . .Whilst it has been challenging,debilitating and painful it has not held Matthew back. He has bounced back on many occasions from cycles of repeated femur fractures and what seemed to to be endless surgeries and treatments.

At 15 years old Matthew attended a Disability sports NI event at Jordanstown University. It was there that he found his love for Wheelchair Basketball. From there he was invited to join the under 15 Northern Ireland Wheelchair Basketball team playing throughout the UK and then on the the NI Knights Wheelcahir Basketball Team playing throughout Ireland .

Matthew is now 22years old and has had the same sports wheelchair now for the past 7 years and while it has served him well , it was never meant for longevity or for his specific wheelchair or sporting needs. He has been recently professionally fitted for a bespoke wheelchair which will be built specifically for him. However as you may know wheelchairs are not come cheap with some prices in the region of a small car and in Matthews case approx £7000 . Hence the reason for our fundraiser.

With all that said you may ask " Brittle Bones and Wheelchair Basketball , thats crazy" but in Matthews own words,

"If I akm going to fracture for no reason , I may as well fracture doing something I Love ".

Thank you

Vincent Hunter