Help Matt Pazdur Overcome Paralysis

Matt Pazdur (Master EOD Technician) began his Navy career in Dec 2012. He graduated as a Navy EOD tech in Sep 2014. While assigned at his first duty station, EODMU-12 (Little Creek,VA), he seamlessly executed multiple deployments, including one as the Leading Petty Officer of an EOD platoon integrated with SEAL Team 2 in support of the EUCOM mission. After building a successful reputation on the East Coast, he accepted orders EODMU-11 DET NW on Whidbey Island, WA to show the West Coast some love. Matt achieved the rank of Chief Petty Officer (E7) and currently supports Navy Region Northwest in assessment/mitigation/removal of all explosive threats from Alaska to Missouri. If you haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Matt, know that you’d never forget him. He is a genuine person, a true family man, and phenomenal EOD tech. His shoes will never be filled at DETNW.

Matt has been diagnosed as Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), a rare neurological disorder in which your body’s immune system mistakenly attacks parts of the network of nerves outside of the brain. Matt is currently suffering from full-body paralysis (extremities and respiratory); due to the inability to breathe on his own, he has been intubated and heavily sedated for comfort. There is no cure for GBS, but therapies are available to lessen the severity of the illness. Multiple rounds of plasma exchanges (plasmapheresis) have been completed, in hopes to refresh his system and prevent further immune-related nerve damage from the bad antibodies. Once Matt is stable for transfer, he will begin a rigorous physical rehabilitative care plan that involves relearning to speak, walk, and rebuild the physical strength required to complete daily tasks. Recovery time varies person to person but is expected to be at minimum one year for an 80% recovered baseline. Physical and emotional difficulties will be endured throughout the year, and possibly into the following years. With Matt’s spirit and mental fortitude, we know he will defy the odds.

From Matt’s wife Hannah-

Matt is truly one of a kind. He’s always lived life by his own rules and is passionate, dedicated and incredibly hardworking. He brings grit and humor to every part of his life and inspires others to be their best. Matt is many things to many people – he’s a treasured friend, a teammate, a loving son and brother, the fun uncle, a beloved husband and an incredible father. Before this, Matt enjoyed hunting, snowboarding, spending his time in the great outdoors, and roughhousing with our son. Anyone who knows Matt knows he was reluctant to become a dad but he is the most attentive, fun, and loving dad around. Matt and Troy are two peas in a pod and we can’t wait for the day when Matt is able to “power bomb” Troy again.