Help Matt Reclaim Independence

September 6, 2026

Campaign Update – September 2026

It has been several months since I've shared a detailed update here, although I've shared some of my progress along the way on Facebook. A lot has happened since May, and I wanted to take some time to share where things stand today.

First, I want to say thank you.

We have now raised more than $16,000 through my Help Hope Live campaign. The generosity of family, friends, coworkers, and even people we don't know personally continues to amaze me. Some people have donated once, some more than once, and others have chosen to provide ongoing support. My family and I are incredibly grateful.

Most importantly, I continue working toward greater independence.

Physical therapy remains an important part of my recovery. I continue working on transfers, strength, balance, flexibility, and techniques that will allow me to safely do more for myself. I've also spent time upright in a standing frame. The frame fully supports me and allows my body to be in a vertical position; it does not mean that I'm able to stand independently. It provides important benefits including circulation, bone health, and muscle flexibility.

In May, I shared one of my biggest milestones when I was able to transfer myself into bed independently for the first time. I continue working to build on that independence in other parts of my daily life.

Our accessible bathroom is now nearly complete.

When I last updated everyone here, work was just beginning. We're now close enough to completion that I can finally share pictures.

For me, these pictures represent much more than a remodeled bathroom. Since my spinal cord stroke, taking a shower has required assistance and specialized equipment. The centerpiece of this project is a new roll-in shower designed to allow me to safely enter with a wheeled shower chair.

I'm hopeful that I'm getting very close to being able to use it for the first time.

Taking a shower is something most of us rarely give much thought to. For me, being able to safely use an accessible shower in my own home will represent another meaningful step toward greater independence.

We've also taken a major step forward with transportation.

We now have a wheelchair-accessible van, and I'm including pictures of it as well.

Earlier this year, I was able to drive during a driver evaluation for the first time since my stroke. Now the work begins to make driving independently a reality.

I have nine hours of specialized driver training scheduled in September at a cost of $200 per hour. If that goes well, I'm hoping to coordinate my driver's test with the DMV by the end of October.

There are still significant steps—and expenses—before I can drive independently.

The van still needs hand controls installed, which are estimated to cost approximately $3,000–$5,000. I also need additional physical therapy specifically focused on learning how to safely transfer between my wheelchair and the driver's seat.

Passing the driver's test would allow me to legally drive again with the appropriate restrictions. Being able to get myself into the van and drive to physical therapy, appointments, work, or simply go somewhere without depending on another person would restore a level of freedom I haven't had since my stroke.

While I'm grateful for all of this progress, the financial challenges remain significant.

Caregiving continues to be one of our largest ongoing expenses. I still require assistance every day, and that need is not expected to go away in the foreseeable future. The cost of caregiving has also increased with inflation, making an already significant monthly expense even greater.

Insurance provides only a limited number of physical therapy sessions each year. Rehabilitation, adaptive equipment, accessibility modifications, driver training, vehicle modifications, and other needs also continue to add up. Many of these expenses are either not covered by insurance or are only partially covered.

That is why your continued support matters so much.

If you've already contributed, thank you. I hope the progress I'm sharing—and the pictures of the bathroom and van—help show what we're working toward and why this campaign remains so important to my family and me.

If you're able to make a first donation or another contribution, I would be extremely grateful. Every contribution helps me continue pursuing the therapy, equipment, modifications, training, and caregiving support that make greater independence possible.

There is still a long road ahead, and I don't know exactly where this journey will ultimately take me. What I do know is that I will continue working hard, setting new goals, and doing everything I can to become as independent as possible.

I'm thankful to be alive. I'm thankful for this second chance at life. And I'm incredibly thankful for everyone who continues to walk alongside me.

More than $16,000 raised—and still moving forward, one milestone at a time.

May 30, 2026

Last night, I reached a milestone I've been working toward for quite some time. For the first time, I was able to get myself into bed independently. It's not a simple task, given all the variables involved and the items that need to remain within reach.Something that used to be automatic has taken months of therapy, setbacks, problem-solving, and determination to relearn. It may seem like a small thing from the outside, but to me it represents progress and a small piece of independence returning.Recovery sometimes feels slow, but days like this show that the hard work is moving things forward.Thank you to everyone who continues to support and encourage me through this journey. One step at a time.