Update 4/11/23
Matt continues to make a strong recovery!! He's healing much faster than doctors are used to seeing. This is "THE WAY" for Matt, and always has been - he's holding true to his warrior nature and doing the hardest work right now, step by step.
He's going to have another surgery soon to install the metal plate. Please send all your best intentions and healing vibes his way. He needs it - and together we have created a powerful net for him to do his work in - and he's doing it. Please send him encouraging words, thoughts, memories, and strength to keep moving forward. Healing is a painful journey for us all. And we need each other for it.
Matt has his phone back from time to time. Please don't be offended if he doesn't reach back out to you - and know he is getting your messages. He has limited time with his phone to avoid overstimulation - he needs to focus his energies on healing as much as possible right now - and he will see your words.
Please keep sharing this page as much as possible. And so, so much LOVE to all of you.
Update 3/23/23
Thank you for being patient with updates. There are many decisions currently being weighed for Matt's recovery: Where will he recover; who are the best providers to work with; what is the cost of medical in which country; when can he travel; how safe is Kyiv day to day; etc... There are many considerations underway.
On the physical side, we're all so, so happy to report the following to you:
- Matt's Mother & Father (Carmen & Cezar Mateiescu) have been able to remain by Matt's side in Ukraine, and make better medical choices for him - because of the incredible support you have shown up with. We are all grateful Matt has this community. None of us want to imagine Matt or his family moving through this without you.
- Matt will need to remain in Ukraine (which is not the most ideal scenario for him) to wait for a specialized medical plate to be made, then surgically placed. This process may take up to 4 weeks from now. The cost is much less in Ukraine - in the United States this would run near to $60,000. Hence... some difficult decisions.
- Matt is speaking and has a HEALTHY sense of ironic humor. The ability to understand humor (especially with high-level irony) shows that Matt's brain, while seriously injured, is present and functioning at a high level. This is very comforting for all of us. None of us are ready to lose Matt's unique flavor of humor. He's always made the world a little brighter with it.
- For Matt's MMA community - he's been watching Muay Thai fights as he recovers and is hopeful training will be in the cards for him yet! Since Matt's been able to get up and walk - against what seems like all odds - at some point he may be able to return to the sport he loves. We hope so.
- Obviously we wanted to save the best for last... Until recently, Matt lost almost all motor function on the left side of his body. HOWEVER - being the renegade force that Matt is... he has not only begun moving his previously paralyzed left side - he has begun to WALK!!!!!!! We just recevied this news and are ecstatic to share it! In the meantime, Matt's being transferred to a rehabilitation unit for two weeks while he awaits specialized medical technology that will be surgically placed to protect soft tissue - it arrives in the next 2-3 weeks. It should not surprise us if the sheer amount of energy & LOVE all of you produced, somehow through the cosmic fabric of this matrix we're in, FOUND ITS WAY DIRECTLY TO MATT'S DOOR. His family and friends are grateful for one another and for you.
FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN ACTIVATION
A coalescence around fundraising is needed. Matt's family is facing critical & difficult decision-making in the coming weeks to months. A small group of creatives (also Matt's close friends) have been brainstorming ways in which we can activate the creative community around (a) fundraising, (b) artistic pursuits that culminate in connection and expression which galvanize the world towards GOOD - something Matt desperately wanted and needed to be a part of. Which brings us full circle to why he was in the Ukraine to begin with - Humanitarian Aid. We can help Matt and his vision - and remind him that WE TOO want to see GOOD in this world. And in many ways, this begins with ART. If you're interested in becoming a small or large part of this art & fundraising movement, please email: [email redacted]
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Our family and friends received very difficult news regarding Matt Saturday evening, March 4th. To say we were devastated is an understatement.
For the last 12 months Matt has been tirelessly volunteering in the Ukraine - running medical & food supplies to the front lines and to Ukrainian citizens in need. Now… Matt is in a Ukrainian hospital in critical condition himself. And needs our help.
Prior to assisting in Ukraine, Matt worked with Team Rubicon for many years. Volunteering to help people in disaster areas and documenting their stories to help spread awareness.
Matt has always tried to take care of who he can, when he can. He’s a talented musician, photographer, martial artist, and breakdancer who very much cares about doing good in the world and uses his skills to do just that. You can see more of Matt’s humanitarian and documentarian work at his IG page.
Matt’s parents are with him in the ICU. He was conscious Sunday however he is in bad shape. And the road to recovery will be expensive and likely long for him.
Matt’s friends have set up this GoFund me for his parents, to help with medical expenses, and to transport Matt back home to receive the care he needs amongst family.
For many years now, Matt has used his skills to fundraise for, and help others in need. It’s he who needs support now.
Please share this page as much and as far as you can to help a human being who’s helped so many people for so many years.
All donations will go directly to Matt’s Mother or immediate family of choice.
We love you Matt.
