Matt "The Cat" Davis: Medical bills & rehab costs

Hello, my family and I are reaching out to ask for financial support to cover some of the costs of our dad’s medical bills and rehab services following a massive stroke.

I'd like to take a moment and tell you about Matt:

Matt Davis (Matt the Cat) is a craftsman, musician, and carpenter. Often people joke that Matt is "Waco Famous", but his community extends far beyond the state lines of Texas. In his recent years, he spent most of his time working as a handyman and creating handcrafted knives, a multigenerational craft passed down to him.

On Friday, March 22, 2024, Matt experienced a massive stroke. He was found on the floor of his home, taken to the hospital, flown to a different hospital, and then rushed into surgery. Before the surgery, the doctors notified the family of the risks and likely recovery post-surgery. It was daunting. Matt is still recovering and has another surgery and several weeks of rehab ahead of him.

Matt is recovering ridiculously quickly - he is re-learning his words each day, taking a few steps on his own, and slowly getting movement back to his right hand. Matt has a long road ahead for his recovery, but we are confident he will play music, make knives, and sing loudly with us again.

As an independent contractor, Matt does not have the luxury of healthcare. Even government-funded healthcare was too expensive for him... While we are doing whatever we can to make sure Matt is accepted to a rehab facility and explore options for other healthcare plans, we are left with the gross feeling of anticipation in seeing the bill.

At this time, we are unsure what the extent of the medical costs will be, but to put it in perspective for you:

The average cost of a hospital stay per night in Texas: 2,913. @ 13 days - $37,869.

The average cost of Matt's first surgery: $4,549.

The average cost of an ambulance ride starts at: $1,000

The emergency airlift will cost us $62,000.

If you've been adding it up, we are currently at $104,418

Phew....

This is just inclusive of the past week or so of Matt's care. It does not include his upcoming care, rehab, or long term care that may be needed.

It is expensive to get sick in America. It is even more expensive without assistance from workplaces or government programs.

We appreciate your thoughts, prayers, and whatever other support you can offer our family. Anything from 5 dollars - to a simple share on social media will help.

Hug your loved ones. ❤