Matthew Strong

Dear Family and Friends,

I am creating this site to share Matthew's story with everyone we love - near and far. On the morning of September 17, 2023 Matthew was participating in the Gran Fonda bike race when he was hit by a car. Matthew was airlifted to UMMC Shock Trauma in Baltimore, MD where Matthew still resides. He broke both femurs, his hip, neck, back, pelvis, sacrum, arm, knee and jaw.

He has undergone two (very) long surgeries, the first to clean out all his many wounds, reconstruct the compound fracture of his knee with a bone allograft from a donor, stabilize both femurs with rods and screws, and to stitch up several deep wounds in his arm and neck. In the second surgery they repaired his broken jaw and reset his broken nose, a procedure complicated by his broken neck and need to keep his head stable. Thankfully Matthew is not paralyzed, but will need significant and prolonged intense rehabilitation. He will possibly need more surgeries in the future as well.

As we all know, Matthew is the most resilient, determined, strong, compassionate, sweet and loving human - father, husband, brother, and son. He has impacted the lives of others and has given his whole self in all that he does. Matthew graduated from the Naval Academy and served his country as a decorated Navy Officer for 8 years, before retiring from the service in 2019 year.

It is our time to come together as a community and family to bring Matthew the strength and love he needs to persevere and endure this very long road to recovery. Matthew has built an incredible community and has always attracted the most wonderful and selfless people into his life.

During this difficult time Matthew is unable to work, and Kirsten is taking off work indefinitely to support Matthew and Maxwell, their one year old son.

You may read Matthew's full story and update HERE @ Caring Bridge

With love,

Jacquelyne Pierson (Matthew's older sister and best friend)