Move With Matt
Donation protected
Matthew knew what change felt like. In the past four years, he'd moved from his hometown, Parkes, to the city of Sydney to pursue his dream career of becoming a scientist, he'd moved out with friends, and fallen in love. Nothing could prepare him, however, for what was to come.
On the 23rd of May, 2016 at the age of twenty-two Matt was hit by a car while crossing the road and thrown twenty metres through the air. Matt suffered a C3-C4 fracture in his spine, and was classified as an incomplete quadriplegic. The accident took place as Matt was beginning his career as a Radiochemist after graduating from the University of Sydney.
The accident can only be described as one of the most harrowing experiences a human being can go through. After impact, Matt remained conscious, painfully aware he was unable to move his body from under a car, locked in sight with the car that had hit him.
Matt's ever-affable spirit carried through the next two months, where he was ventilated at the Intensive Care Unit at Royal North Shore Hospital. To drive his electric wheelchair, Matt must use his chin to push a joystick. As only he could while limited to communication through eye and lip gestures, he made us laugh, cry, and he gave us hope.
Matt was transferred to Royal Rehab in the second half of 2016 and has been working hard to regain strength and movement. It is difficult to quantify Matt’s progress. On Tuesday, he might have sensation in his lower body, and feel stronger than he did the day before, and on Wednesday he might lose that sensation entirely, or be overcome by spasms that seize his body in an uncontrollable series of shakes.
Against the odds, and as a testament to his will, Matt has begun to make progress in moving his lower limbs. Despite the best efforts of Matt and his physiotherapist, his upper limbs show no signs of improvement.
Matt also suffers from debilitating neuropathic pain which can only be moderated by medication. He is prone to experiencing intense rising and falling temperatures, sharp pains across his body and Matt's personal favourite, a creepy-crawly sensation that he describes as ‘like having bugs under your skin’.
Matt has faced many challenges in the past year, as have his family, partner and wide network of friends who have had to come to grips with the realities of looking after a disabled loved one. The most excruciating challenge Matt has had to face is not being able to hold his amazing partner, Allison, who has supported him while enduring his innumerable Dad-Jokes.
Despite this, if you were to meet Matt, he would most likely inquire about 'what's new with you?', a curiosity and selflessness that belies his own situation, and demonstrates the character he has always been, a character that is still very much intact. He remains the positive friend we know, a man of repartee, intelligence, and heart.
Matt’s next step is to move into a new home. To do this, Matt’s parents have had to bear the cost of purchasing a house for him. With your help Matt and his family will be able to purchase spinal equipment, a wheelchair-accessible vehicle, ongoing physiotherapy and medical expenses.
We hope to reach $25,000 to assist Matt’s next step, and every donation counts. Matt is keen to close the book on 2016 and ink the first page to a new one in 2017. Please give what you can and help Matt move on.
On the 23rd of May, 2016 at the age of twenty-two Matt was hit by a car while crossing the road and thrown twenty metres through the air. Matt suffered a C3-C4 fracture in his spine, and was classified as an incomplete quadriplegic. The accident took place as Matt was beginning his career as a Radiochemist after graduating from the University of Sydney.
The accident can only be described as one of the most harrowing experiences a human being can go through. After impact, Matt remained conscious, painfully aware he was unable to move his body from under a car, locked in sight with the car that had hit him.
Matt's ever-affable spirit carried through the next two months, where he was ventilated at the Intensive Care Unit at Royal North Shore Hospital. To drive his electric wheelchair, Matt must use his chin to push a joystick. As only he could while limited to communication through eye and lip gestures, he made us laugh, cry, and he gave us hope.
Matt was transferred to Royal Rehab in the second half of 2016 and has been working hard to regain strength and movement. It is difficult to quantify Matt’s progress. On Tuesday, he might have sensation in his lower body, and feel stronger than he did the day before, and on Wednesday he might lose that sensation entirely, or be overcome by spasms that seize his body in an uncontrollable series of shakes.
Against the odds, and as a testament to his will, Matt has begun to make progress in moving his lower limbs. Despite the best efforts of Matt and his physiotherapist, his upper limbs show no signs of improvement.
Matt also suffers from debilitating neuropathic pain which can only be moderated by medication. He is prone to experiencing intense rising and falling temperatures, sharp pains across his body and Matt's personal favourite, a creepy-crawly sensation that he describes as ‘like having bugs under your skin’.
Matt has faced many challenges in the past year, as have his family, partner and wide network of friends who have had to come to grips with the realities of looking after a disabled loved one. The most excruciating challenge Matt has had to face is not being able to hold his amazing partner, Allison, who has supported him while enduring his innumerable Dad-Jokes.
Despite this, if you were to meet Matt, he would most likely inquire about 'what's new with you?', a curiosity and selflessness that belies his own situation, and demonstrates the character he has always been, a character that is still very much intact. He remains the positive friend we know, a man of repartee, intelligence, and heart.
Matt’s next step is to move into a new home. To do this, Matt’s parents have had to bear the cost of purchasing a house for him. With your help Matt and his family will be able to purchase spinal equipment, a wheelchair-accessible vehicle, ongoing physiotherapy and medical expenses.
We hope to reach $25,000 to assist Matt’s next step, and every donation counts. Matt is keen to close the book on 2016 and ink the first page to a new one in 2017. Please give what you can and help Matt move on.
Organizer
Dash Moore
Organizer
Vaucluse NSW
