Help Support Matthew Metzger
Donation protected
Recently Matt moved down to Atlanta, GA with his girlfriend, away from all family and friends save his oldest brother. Four months later, he caught what seemed like a normal cold, but landed him in the hospital.
When he was admitted Matt has a 101 degree fever and a heart murmur. His blood pressure was extremely low and he wasn't able to see out of one eye. What seemed like a simple cold turned out to be an infection whch spread to his blood and inside two of heart valves and behind both eyes. Matt was born with hemifacial microsomia, a rare disorder that causes half of his body to grow slower than the other. Because of this, the infection was able to spread so rapidly it impacted not only his heart, but his eye sight.
On the day he was originally supposed to be released from the hospital, a last test confirmed that Matt had what's called aortic valve regurgitation alongside the bacterial endocarditis infection, which meant that his heart valve was slowly leaking. At 25 he had to undergo open heart surgery to replace his leaking valve with a metal one. In order to have the surgery done, Matt was transferred to a larger hospital which had the resources to perform the operation.
While the surgery went well and Matt is now safe and sound at home, his vision is still impaired and doctors say there is nothing he can do about it, but wait until the infection clears. Matt, whose three jobs include bartending and working at both Starbucks and a local coffee shop, cannot return to work until he is able to fully see. Because of the move, he also currently does not have healthcare to cover the hospital stay, many tests, and the surgery that was performed.
Matt is currently applying for financial aid through the hospital and is also applying for disability for the time that he cannot work. Matt has always been the type to work hard for everything that he has and to do whatever it takes to make sure that he is able to live independently, especially financially. However, this is one of those major situations that no one can see coming or prepare for, and he could use help. Anything that you are able to give would be a huge help, and would be greatly appreciated.
When he was admitted Matt has a 101 degree fever and a heart murmur. His blood pressure was extremely low and he wasn't able to see out of one eye. What seemed like a simple cold turned out to be an infection whch spread to his blood and inside two of heart valves and behind both eyes. Matt was born with hemifacial microsomia, a rare disorder that causes half of his body to grow slower than the other. Because of this, the infection was able to spread so rapidly it impacted not only his heart, but his eye sight.
On the day he was originally supposed to be released from the hospital, a last test confirmed that Matt had what's called aortic valve regurgitation alongside the bacterial endocarditis infection, which meant that his heart valve was slowly leaking. At 25 he had to undergo open heart surgery to replace his leaking valve with a metal one. In order to have the surgery done, Matt was transferred to a larger hospital which had the resources to perform the operation.
While the surgery went well and Matt is now safe and sound at home, his vision is still impaired and doctors say there is nothing he can do about it, but wait until the infection clears. Matt, whose three jobs include bartending and working at both Starbucks and a local coffee shop, cannot return to work until he is able to fully see. Because of the move, he also currently does not have healthcare to cover the hospital stay, many tests, and the surgery that was performed.
Matt is currently applying for financial aid through the hospital and is also applying for disability for the time that he cannot work. Matt has always been the type to work hard for everything that he has and to do whatever it takes to make sure that he is able to live independently, especially financially. However, this is one of those major situations that no one can see coming or prepare for, and he could use help. Anything that you are able to give would be a huge help, and would be greatly appreciated.
Organizer and beneficiary
Sarah Metzger
Organizer
Cleveland, OH
Matthew Metzger
Beneficiary