MATTY’S STORY A freak accident in the first game of the 2015 rugby season changed the lives of Maciu Vosa (Matty), his wife Kylie, and their two young children, Ezekia and Ariella, forever. Matty broke his neck after a regulation maul collapsed in general play under the weight of a phalanx of team-mates and opponents whist playing for the Melbourne Harlequins. He is now a C4 complete quadriplegic and has no feeling from his upper chest down, but has some limited movement in his arms. <img class="not-resizeable" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/33774098_1539652758277085_r.jpeg" alt="" width="100%" />￼￼ <img class="not-resizeable" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/33774098_1539653292935745_r.jpeg" alt="" width="100%" />￼￼ Matty requires 24/7 care, including two carers to get him out of bed and for morning bathing and dressing (a 2 1⁄2 hour daily process). Carers are also required for his bedtime routines and other activities during the day. This is part of a lifetime management system, which includes special equipment and strategies, and which will continue to evolve according to his needs. Essentially most everyday functions that able-bodied people take for granted are not possible for Matty without assistance. <img class="not-resizeable" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/33774098_153965291391738_r.jpeg" alt="" width="100%" />￼￼<img class="not-resizeable" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/33774098_1539653219750565_r.jpeg" alt="" width="100%" />￼￼ In June 2016, Matty underwent nerve and tendon transfer surgery to try and gain some function in his fingers. Since the operation, improvement has been seen in his right hand, particularly with his gripping. However, the donor nerves on the left weren’t quite as good, so further tendon transplants were performed in July 2018. Matty is currently working on strengthening his upper body and core strength muscles, hoping to achieve his short term goal of pushing himself in a manual chair. A Trust Fund and Working group has been active since the early days following the accident, raising funds and helping support Matty and his family. <img class="not-resizeable" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/33774098_1539653049836046_r.jpeg" alt="" width="100%" />￼￼ <a href="https://youtu.be/fjvONb5dum8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Maciu (Matty) Vosa’s story</a>  All funds raised go towards the cost of building a wheelchair accessible home for the family... the next big goal. This will allow Matty to manoeuvre around the house and give him the opportunity to do the other things we all take for granted. The support of the "rugby family" and the wider community is very much appreciated by Matty, Kylie, their family and the Trust.

Sean Flanagan

James Scott

Fintan McGlinchey

4 Matty (Maciu Vosa) Rehab Fund

Noch $98,245. Hilf uns, Dynamik aufzubauen.