I’m creating this GoFundMe for my sweet friend Karen, her 8-year-old son Mathew, and their family.

On February 1st, 2024, Karen and her husband rushed their son Mathew to the Emergency Room, he was unable to move and was having trouble breathing. He was quickly sedated and intubated and after many tests and scans, it was determined that Mathew had suffered a spinal stroke. He continues to remain intubated and is unable to breathe on his own when the sedation is reduced. The doctors have determined that his spine is not transmitting messages to his body to move and breathe. They will be in the hospital for at least two more weeks and Mathew will have a tracheotomy and a feeding tube placed. He will then be transferred to a 24/7 rehabilitation center in Baltimore where Mathew will begin physical and respiratory rehab.

As you can imagine, medical bills add up quickly and because life doesn’t stop when we experience a crisis, other expenses add up as well. Any amount you can donate will help Karen and her family with medical bills, travel expenses, food costs, household expenses, etc. while they are navigating this very scary time.