Marcus was rushed to UCLA hospital. He had no movement or feeling in his body from the neck down and had to undergo surgery to repair his C5 and C7 vertebrae. Incisions were made in the front and back of his neck to complete the necessary repairs. After the completion of an eight hour surgery, we were told his injury was an incomplete fracture, which means there is a possibility that Marcus could regain feeling and/or movement to his body, however, it is unclear if and when it would do so. We would just have to wait and see.
While recovering from surgery Marcus caught pneumonia and one of his lungs collapsed. He received a trach to support his lungs to help him breathe. It was almost two months of battling Pneumonia before his lungs were clear. Although his lungs were clear, they were still very weak and unable to support his breathing. Marcus was moved to Barlow Respiratory facility to work with respiratory therapists. He needed to strengthen his lungs in order to successfully breathe on his own.
We were so happy to have Marcus out of the intensive care unit at UCLA. He had made some progress, but there was still another battle to fight. Marcus was determined to breathe on his own and he tried his hardest not to feel hopeless when he was unsuccessful in his first attempts. Marcus stayed strong and kept a smile on his face all while enduring the pain and discomfort brought on by the tube that was down his throat. With perseverance, Marcus was successfully able to breath on his own. Another battle won, however, Marcus was about to face another obstacle.
Unfortunately, after staying several weeks at the Barlow Respiratory facility, Marcus was not able to leave. He had been in a hospital bed for a few months and now had bed sores that needed to heal before a transfer to his next destination would be approved. The next battle ensued.
A few months after the accident our mother had to return to work and was no longer able to stay at the hospital 24/7. Although family and friends took shifts to be with Marcus as much as we could, Marcus quickly realized he was not a victim to his condition and realized he was in charge of his journey. Marcus took on the tough job of overseeing his recovery program to ensure his wounds would heal. Due to Marcus’ determination, his wounds were healed and his transfer was approved. Marcus was now on his way to Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center. Through all of the battles that Marcus endured, it still amazes me how he has continued to smile, be positive, and hopeful.
When Marcus transferred to Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center a sense of relief came over us all. We felt we were finally able to see light at the end of the tunnel as he was preparing to come home. During his stay, Marcus began to truly live again. He was dressed everyday and no longer in hospital gowns or hooked up to machines. Marcus was able to move around in a wheelchair and was able to leave the facility. He went to the mall, the movies, and with a mobile arm support, he even painted. Marcus got a chance to see that even in a wheelchair he still had plenty of life ahead of him and he was ready to embrace it.
Marcus is now at home surrounded by an abundance of love. Our family is learning and adjusting to continue to provide Marcus with the support he needs. Marcus is ready to go back to college to finish his degree in Computer Science, as he aspires to work in the network security field. He is ready to challenge his body and continue to progress with physical therapy. There are a number of resources and opportunities that would allow Marcus to continue living his life fully, unfortunately, insurance does not cover the expenses associated with these resources. *Please donate what you can to support my brother’s journey. He will need a vehicle that can accommodate him, ongoing physical therapy, home equipment, and home modifications. Marcus will continue to spread positivity, humility, love, and gratitude into the world as a way to thank you. No donation is too small. No obstacle is too tough for Marcus conquer. Through positivity, love, and grit Marcus will continue fighting.
Thank you for your love and generosity. Marcus and our family appreciate all of your support.
Family and friends of Marcus Matamoros are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with Catastrophic Injury.
*Marcus has chosen to fundraise for Help Hope Live in part because Help Hope Live assures fiscal accountability of funds raised and tax deductibility for contributors. Contributors can be sure donations will be used to pay or reimburse medical and related expenses. To make a tax-deductible donation to this fundraising campaign, click on the Give button.
For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 800.642.8399.
Thank you for your support!
