“Matthew is known as a social butterfly who gets along with everyone – staff and fellow patients alike – and is famous for his trademark happiness.”
A burst of sunshine for everyone at St. Mary’s since 2010, Matthew joined the Medical Day Healthcare Program when he was 16 years old. With Matthew’s diagnosis, he has no sensation in the lower half of his body. Matthew works hard on his goals in physical, occupational and speech therapy multiple times a week. He will often ask staff to do upper body exercises even while he is not in therapy. He is also very diligent with completing an at home exercise program that he requested from his physical therapist. He is also working on his money management skills, and job skills.
One of Matthew’s favorite components of the Medical Day Healthcare Program is his participation in the Young Adult Breakfast Club. The Breakfast Club serves employees and visitors breakfast on Thursdays from 10:00am-11:00am and this allows Matthew the opportunity to be a server, cashier, and greeter. Matthew has exceled at all of these roles; he has even presented a new idea of delivering breakfast to the staff. Matthew has started his training for this new service and he will be overseeing it. His dedication is a true inspiration for his peers as well as the staff.
Around here, Matthew is known as a social butterfly who gets along with everyone—staff and fellow patients alike—and is famous for his trademark happiness. When he’s not in therapy, Matthew spends his time the same way other people his age do: playing and watching sports, watching movies, and socializing with his friends. He and his family are grateful for the therapeutic opportunities that St. Mary’s offers and for encouraging and creating the kind of success that puts pursuing a college degree within Matthew’s reach.
