Help keep Matt Elflein independent and mobile!!
Donation protected
In 2004, Matt Elflein suffered a tragic accident while boating in Dunedin, FL. The accident caused Matt to become paralyzed from the chest down. In an instant, Matt became dependent on others for everything. A tough place to be for anyone, but more so for this Long Island raised boy who had the world at his fingertips. After years of transitioning to his new way of living, a miracle arrived from his hometown friends and family. A van. He received a Ford van converted with a lift, 6 point seat, and hand controls, so Matt could start his journey of independence and mobility. He did just that. He got back into the workforce, began shopping for himself, socializing with friends again, and driving himself to numerous doctor’s appointments to continue his rehabilitation. This van was the portal to Matt's freedom. Matt returning to the workforce was a necessity for his financial survival and continues to be source of his personal growth.
The van Matt drives was purchased by him in 2007, with 12,000 miles on it. Now it has over 350,000. That is a lot of miles. Several new transmissions, sets of tires, batteries, wheelchair lifts, and countless other repairs, it is at the point beyond fixing, it is unsafe for anyone, but especially for Matt, with his disability.
Matt has defied many odds against him since the accident. He has shown many of us, with his positive attitude and sheer determination, how to live as normal a life as possible, despite the ability to walk and despite the fact that he can only earn $1276.00 a month just to keep his Medicare Insurance. If you don't believe me, and you live in Tampa, FL, stop by the big chain Home Improvement store, near Raymond James Stadium, where Matt has worked for the past 8 years.
Please join me (Terence Doohen) and my sister (Alex Doohen) to raise money to help Matt can get a new van. If anyone is deserving of a new van, it is Matt. This new van will keep Matt working, in addition to remaining independent and free. Whatever you can donate is greatly appreciated, and the more you can pass the link, is as equally appreciated. The more people who can see Matt's fundraiser, the closer we are to getting him a new van. . All the money raised will be used to buy Matt the best van we can. In addition, we want to prepay his insurance for two years, prepay tire replacement, and oil changes. Anything left over will be used to continue to modify his home to ADA compliance. Helping him to remain independent and mobile will help Matt continue to lead and productive and meaningful life.
Thank you so much in advance.
For more of Matt's story read below (written by Terence Doohen)
Whoever would have thought during the summer of 2004, on a wonderful Sunday afternoon boating with friends and family, that Matt's life would change in a blink of an eye. Anchored off Three Rooker Island, north of Dunedin beach, FL, Matt accidently made contact with the ground head first, in shallow water. Immediately seeing Matt face down in the water, we knew things were bad. Matt asked, "are we in deep water?" As I straddled him keeping his head above water. I answered him "no" and asked "why?" He replied, " I can't feel the ground." We quickly called 911, neighboring boaters shot flares into the sky, and then Life Flight made an amazing rescue hoovering over the water. Matt was transported to Bayfront Hospital to receive emergency services.
I remember driving to hospital thinking , "what just happened." Feeling sick to my stomach and broken hearted for Matt, I spoke with his parents and explained why their son was fighting for his life, when six hours earlier, his life was pleasantly normal. The doctors were not certain how Matt's injury would turn out. Within a few days, there was a sense that Matt would never walk again or regain the use of his legs without a miracle. I remember seeing Matt in the hospital and he said, "Terence, it could have been worse." That was Matt being Matt, seeing the glass half full, with positive thoughts soon after breaking his neck. Unbelievable. To this day, Matt Elflein has not lost his sense of positivity.
It’s hard to believe that it has been 17 years since Matt’s life was turned upside down. Since that day, Matt has been unable to run, walk, or simply stand up. Matt is paralyzed from his chest down. His initial three years of recovery was rough. He had to rely on friends and family to drive him everywhere. This was tough on him because nobody wants to be dependent on others. It stunk and his outlook reflected it.
In 2007, his Ward Melville High School classmates from Long Island, family, and local friends chipped in to raise money to get Matt a van. A amazing act of generosity. It was life-line. It was a push. It was a miracle. He no longer needed to call on someone if he needed to go to the store, or to his many doctor’s appointments. He no longer needed to call someone if he needed to go anywhere. He was free. He was independent and mobile. It was this van that gave Matt his life back. He may not have been able to walk, run, or even stand on his own, but he could wheel himself out his door, open the van door, get on the wheelchair lift, transfer into driver seat, start the engine and go. Freedom. Independence. Hope. Drive. This is what a van can do. Things we all take for granted.
Since that ray of light arrived in 2007, he has made the most of it. In the spirit of independence, Matt re-entered the workforce. Matt started a company called Living Eazy, where he created and patented his table invention that improves the lives of wheelchair bound people. He spent years driving that van to trade shows to market the product. Like many companies, sustainability and money fell short. However, Matt is not afraid to work. Prior to his accident, Matt was a USPS mail carrier. After his accident, and 6 years of learning how to live again, Matt found work at Tropicana Field for the Tampa Bay Rays. As well as Amelie Arena for the Tampa Lightning. For the past eight years Matt has been working for a big chain home Improvement store near Raymond James Stadium. He is doing well there and loves his job. Matt gives his job everything he has.
The van Matt got in 2007 has been working hard too. That van has given Matt everything it has. After 350,000 miles, multiple transmissions, 4 sets of tires, two wheelchair lifts, and countless other repairs, the old Ford is tapping out. He has recently been stranded on the side of the road multiple times when the van has broken down. We all know how that feels. Helpless and dependent.
Matt could use some help again. We know what another van can do for him, affording Matt to be resourceful and productive. My sister Alex came up with the idea, and said, "Matt needs our help". We need your help to make this happen. We are asking you to help Matt in any way you can. If you can't donate, please help promote this fundraiser to your family, friends, local business, charities, and any big-timers that you may know. The more people who realize Matt needs our help, the closer we will come to getting Matt a new van.
Specifications of Funds Raised for Matt Elflein:
100% of funds raised will go to Matt Elflein directly. The money raised will go towards the purchase of a disabled van equipped with electronic doors, a wheelchair lift, and hand controls for Matt to drive. The van will be retrofitted and converted through Vocational Rehabilitation. If we can not raise enough money within 60 days for the purchase of a new van, we will purchase the best available pre-owned option.
New van goal- 2020 Ford Explorer Van SE $68,000
New van goal 3rd option- 2021 Ford Transit $44,500
New van goal 2nd option- 2021 Dodge Pro-master 1500 $37,500
Disability modifications / conversions from: Vocational Rehab $5000-$17,000
(depends on new or used)
There are many people in the world that could use some help. Matt is one of them.
Kindest Regards,
Terence Doohen
The van Matt drives was purchased by him in 2007, with 12,000 miles on it. Now it has over 350,000. That is a lot of miles. Several new transmissions, sets of tires, batteries, wheelchair lifts, and countless other repairs, it is at the point beyond fixing, it is unsafe for anyone, but especially for Matt, with his disability.
Matt has defied many odds against him since the accident. He has shown many of us, with his positive attitude and sheer determination, how to live as normal a life as possible, despite the ability to walk and despite the fact that he can only earn $1276.00 a month just to keep his Medicare Insurance. If you don't believe me, and you live in Tampa, FL, stop by the big chain Home Improvement store, near Raymond James Stadium, where Matt has worked for the past 8 years.
Please join me (Terence Doohen) and my sister (Alex Doohen) to raise money to help Matt can get a new van. If anyone is deserving of a new van, it is Matt. This new van will keep Matt working, in addition to remaining independent and free. Whatever you can donate is greatly appreciated, and the more you can pass the link, is as equally appreciated. The more people who can see Matt's fundraiser, the closer we are to getting him a new van. . All the money raised will be used to buy Matt the best van we can. In addition, we want to prepay his insurance for two years, prepay tire replacement, and oil changes. Anything left over will be used to continue to modify his home to ADA compliance. Helping him to remain independent and mobile will help Matt continue to lead and productive and meaningful life.
Thank you so much in advance.
For more of Matt's story read below (written by Terence Doohen)
Whoever would have thought during the summer of 2004, on a wonderful Sunday afternoon boating with friends and family, that Matt's life would change in a blink of an eye. Anchored off Three Rooker Island, north of Dunedin beach, FL, Matt accidently made contact with the ground head first, in shallow water. Immediately seeing Matt face down in the water, we knew things were bad. Matt asked, "are we in deep water?" As I straddled him keeping his head above water. I answered him "no" and asked "why?" He replied, " I can't feel the ground." We quickly called 911, neighboring boaters shot flares into the sky, and then Life Flight made an amazing rescue hoovering over the water. Matt was transported to Bayfront Hospital to receive emergency services.
I remember driving to hospital thinking , "what just happened." Feeling sick to my stomach and broken hearted for Matt, I spoke with his parents and explained why their son was fighting for his life, when six hours earlier, his life was pleasantly normal. The doctors were not certain how Matt's injury would turn out. Within a few days, there was a sense that Matt would never walk again or regain the use of his legs without a miracle. I remember seeing Matt in the hospital and he said, "Terence, it could have been worse." That was Matt being Matt, seeing the glass half full, with positive thoughts soon after breaking his neck. Unbelievable. To this day, Matt Elflein has not lost his sense of positivity.
It’s hard to believe that it has been 17 years since Matt’s life was turned upside down. Since that day, Matt has been unable to run, walk, or simply stand up. Matt is paralyzed from his chest down. His initial three years of recovery was rough. He had to rely on friends and family to drive him everywhere. This was tough on him because nobody wants to be dependent on others. It stunk and his outlook reflected it.
In 2007, his Ward Melville High School classmates from Long Island, family, and local friends chipped in to raise money to get Matt a van. A amazing act of generosity. It was life-line. It was a push. It was a miracle. He no longer needed to call on someone if he needed to go to the store, or to his many doctor’s appointments. He no longer needed to call someone if he needed to go anywhere. He was free. He was independent and mobile. It was this van that gave Matt his life back. He may not have been able to walk, run, or even stand on his own, but he could wheel himself out his door, open the van door, get on the wheelchair lift, transfer into driver seat, start the engine and go. Freedom. Independence. Hope. Drive. This is what a van can do. Things we all take for granted.
Since that ray of light arrived in 2007, he has made the most of it. In the spirit of independence, Matt re-entered the workforce. Matt started a company called Living Eazy, where he created and patented his table invention that improves the lives of wheelchair bound people. He spent years driving that van to trade shows to market the product. Like many companies, sustainability and money fell short. However, Matt is not afraid to work. Prior to his accident, Matt was a USPS mail carrier. After his accident, and 6 years of learning how to live again, Matt found work at Tropicana Field for the Tampa Bay Rays. As well as Amelie Arena for the Tampa Lightning. For the past eight years Matt has been working for a big chain home Improvement store near Raymond James Stadium. He is doing well there and loves his job. Matt gives his job everything he has.
The van Matt got in 2007 has been working hard too. That van has given Matt everything it has. After 350,000 miles, multiple transmissions, 4 sets of tires, two wheelchair lifts, and countless other repairs, the old Ford is tapping out. He has recently been stranded on the side of the road multiple times when the van has broken down. We all know how that feels. Helpless and dependent.
Matt could use some help again. We know what another van can do for him, affording Matt to be resourceful and productive. My sister Alex came up with the idea, and said, "Matt needs our help". We need your help to make this happen. We are asking you to help Matt in any way you can. If you can't donate, please help promote this fundraiser to your family, friends, local business, charities, and any big-timers that you may know. The more people who realize Matt needs our help, the closer we will come to getting Matt a new van.
Specifications of Funds Raised for Matt Elflein:
100% of funds raised will go to Matt Elflein directly. The money raised will go towards the purchase of a disabled van equipped with electronic doors, a wheelchair lift, and hand controls for Matt to drive. The van will be retrofitted and converted through Vocational Rehabilitation. If we can not raise enough money within 60 days for the purchase of a new van, we will purchase the best available pre-owned option.
New van goal- 2020 Ford Explorer Van SE $68,000
New van goal 3rd option- 2021 Ford Transit $44,500
New van goal 2nd option- 2021 Dodge Pro-master 1500 $37,500
Disability modifications / conversions from: Vocational Rehab $5000-$17,000
(depends on new or used)
There are many people in the world that could use some help. Matt is one of them.
Kindest Regards,
Terence Doohen
Organizer
Terence Doohen
Organizer
Oldsmar, FL
