Help Matt's Family Overcome Stroke Crisis

Gillian Shepherd is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

May 15, 2024

Journal entry by Amanda Pfennig — 1 hour ago

Today was a good day. Matt stood up on his own! When he told us we cheered. His speech continues to improve. That right arm though… that has not made any significant progress. He did, however, pass all the swallowing tests today which means he’s off the thickened liquids! Hurrah! Real food and beverage again!

Our dear friends Gillian and Mitch Sheperd, drove up from North Carolina to Pittsburgh yesterday. They have helped me all day to accomplish household tasks on the ‘Honey Do’ list that were somewhat urgent. They will stay with me through tomorrow. Then Oskar and I will be hangin’ tough together, holding down the fort.

We continue to receive visitors and messages of encouragement. We feel very blessed to be surrounded by amazing family and friends that hold us up during this difficult time. We are so very grateful to you all.

Much love,

5.5.24

Matt, Oskar, and Amanda need some help from the community. As most of you know, Matt had a stroke last Monday 5/6/24, and unfortunately, because of this, we are looking to raise funds for medical expenses.

Matt and Amanda have an 8 year old son, Oskar, who will be finishing 2nd grade this month. A lot of summer plans have been put on hold so Matt can be rehabilitated.

Post stroke, Matt has been transferred to an in-patient rehab at UPMC Passavant in McCandless, PA.

The stroke has caused the right side of his body to experience paralysis. He is currently learning how to speak again, and doing intense therapy every day to repair his right arm and leg, in hopes to be able to use them fully again.

These funds will go towards paying off his one week stay at AGH, any medical bills for scans and tests, his time at UPMC which is still unknown, and towards getting the house ready for his return, where we will have to make adjustments to make him comfortable.

Any and all donations are greatly appreciated. Thank you for all the love and prayers we have been receiving, they go farther than you can imagine.