I’ve been encouraged by many supportive family members and friends to share my story. My name is Matt, and on August 7, 2024, my life—and my family’s—changed in an instant.
I am profoundly grateful that I am cognitively strong and have full use of my arms and hands. That ability provides me with some independence. At the same time, being paralyzed from the chest down has revealed just how much I’ve lost. What I miss most are the simplest things: the ability to care for myself and to fully show up for my family—especially for my wife, Lauren, and my son, Ryan. Losing that role has been one of the most difficult parts of this journey.
The year since my injury has been filled with uncertainty, but also with many blessings. We are still learning what my new life looks like and what recovery may hold. Following my stroke, I spent nearly 100 days in hospitals and rehabilitation facilities, relearning basic skills most people never have to think about. The ICU team at Johnston-Willis Hospital provided lifesaving care, and Sheltering Arms Rehabilitation Center gave me a foundation to continue a recovery that is far from over.
My spinal cord injury is classified as “incomplete,” which means that regaining the ability to walk is possible. I have already regained some sensation in my legs and feet. However, physical therapy is critical—not only to improve strength and function, but also to maintain flexibility and prevent further complications. Unfortunately, my insurance covers only 30 therapy sessions per year. To make meaningful progress, I need at least three times that amount.
Transportation has also become a significant barrier. I currently rely on a county ride service to attend medical appointments, therapy sessions, and even basic errands like grocery shopping. The service is unreliable and extremely limiting. An accessible vehicle would allow me to attend appointments consistently, continue therapy, and regain a basic sense of dignity and freedom.
Although I am fortunate to have insurance, many essential aspects of my recovery are only partially covered or not covered at all. These include ongoing physical therapy, caregiving support, home modifications such as an accessible bathroom, co-pays, and transportation costs. As a paraplegic, independence isn’t just a long-term goal—it’s a daily challenge, but also a realistic hope.
Despite everything, I am deeply grateful to be alive. I spent nearly six weeks in the ICU, many of them requiring intensive, lifesaving support. While intubated and sedated, I was unaware of how close I came to losing my life multiple times. Surviving this experience has changed me. I hope it has made me a better husband, father, son, brother, and friend. I continue rebuilding my life and gaining the tools I need to live with greater independence—and to pay kindness, awareness, and generosity forward.
Many people have asked how they can best support my family and me as we navigate this journey. Funds are being raised through the nonprofit Help Hope Live to help cover critical, uninsured recovery expenses. Donations are tax-deductible and carefully monitored to ensure they are used exclusively for medical and recovery-related needs.
If you are able, please consider sharing my story with your friends, family, or community groups. Every donation made in my honor brings me one step closer to reclaiming independence. Every share helps raise awareness about rare spinal cord strokes. If you would like to organize a fundraising event, please contact my wife, Lauren, at [email protected].
Thank you to everyone who has prayed for my recovery, supported my family, and stood by us since that Wednesday—August 7, 2024—when our lives changed forever.
