Ian and Denise Murray’s son, Matthew, is facing serious medical issues, neurological in nature, that have been getting progressively worse over the past 13 months. This all began on December 27, 2017, after he had his first episode when was found dazed and confused in his apartment, with a head injury and left-sided weakness. He was taken to the hospital and admitted for what we were told was a stroke. He was discharged two days later without any lasting problems. However, it was not so simple; since then, he has spent roughly 157 days in the hospital and other facilities—a total of 8 separate hospital admissions for various neurological symptoms and other problems related to these symptoms. Despite extensive tests and procedures to help determine what he has, the doctors have not been able to specifically diagnose his neurological condition(s). His most recent admission to the hospital was on November 15, 2018. As of this writing, he remains in the hospital. He has not been able to walk since that time. We need to modify our home to be handicap accessible so that we can have Matthew come home to live with us and for him to receive in-home therapy—instead of placing him into a long-term care nursing home. In order to do this, we need to raise money to cover the cost of the remodeling work as well as repairs. We also need to help replace some lost income due to mom having reduced her time at work over the past year in order to have spent time at the hospital with Matthew advocating for his needs and for his future plans.

Prior to all of this, Matt had been able to live independently even though he had been developmentally delayed since birth, with both mental and physical limitations. When he was born, the doctors said that if he was lucky to live to one year of age, he would be blind and be a “vegetable.” So far, he has proven them wrong. He was tube fed with a nasogastric tube for much of his first 2 years of life. Through his early childhood many tests were done to try to identify a diagnosis as to why he had the problems he had then. In spite of his early life starting out rocky, he was able to complete school on an Individual Education Plan (IEP) and graduate from high school. He also earned his Eagle Scout and worked for a local grocery store as a carry out for several years.

Up until March 31, 2018, he had been able to live in an apartment close to mom and dad. He was able to cook for himself and do his own laundry. Matt used to enjoy fishing, using his metal detector, attending church activities, going to concerts (when he won tickets from radio station contests), playing video games, drawing, and playing with his nephews. He had help from mom for managing his money, shopping, cleaning, and managing his multiple medications for chronic health conditions.

Over the past year, his health has deteriorated due to the unknown neurological condition. He has needed assistance with many things he had previously been able to do for himself. Matthew will no longer be able to live independently. As of this writing, the neurologists have not been able to diagnose his neurological condition or to make him better. He continues to have stroke-like symptoms and associated seizures and confusion. The medications that he is on to help manage these episodes make him very sleepy. So sleepy, in fact, that the therapists are not able to awaken him for many of their scheduled therapy sessions so that they can work with him to help regain his strength.

At the time of this writing, Matt does not have the strength to sit or stand at the bedside. He has been bed bound for 7 weeks. Despite this, he is stable. He will soon be discharged from the hospital and transferred to a post-acute skilled nursing facility. There, therapists will continue to work with him to help him get stronger. The number of days he will be able to spend in the skilled nursing facility will be limited by his insurance. Following this, he would be expected to be transferred to a long-term care nursing home. We would rather have him come home with mom and dad. He has become so sad and discouraged by his dramatic change in lifestyle due to the amount of days he has spent away from home. We would like to make his life as easy and comfortable as possible. We feel it would be most beneficial for him to return home for his ongoing care after the house can be made handicap accessible. With your help we are hopeful this will happen. He would continue to receive therapy at home and be followed by the neurologists on an outpatient basis for any additional tests or treatments they recommend.

Thank you for any assistance that you are able to provide. It is very much appreciated.

Ian and Denise Murray