A Wheelchair Accessible Van for Matthew Smith
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I am submitting this request for Matthew Smith on behalf of his family. My name is Jennifer Surmeian, and Taryn Smith and her boys, Matthew, Ben and Joey, while not related through blood, are family. When friends and family are in need, you try to do everything within your power to help them.
The Smith family is in need of a new wheelchair accessible van to meet Matthew's daily challenges.
Matthew, was born with Osteogenesis Imperfecta, otherwise known as OI, or Brittle Bone Disease. OI is caused by a mutation of a gene that affects the body’s production of collagen found in bones and other tissue.
Matthew has type III OI, which is a more severe form. Matthew has had approximately 40 procedures over the past 19 years ranging from brain surgery to rod implants in his spine and femurs. Matthew has had countless broken bones, most of which go undetected. Matthew endures all of this with a smile on his face, never complaining. He amazes us each and every day, but it breaks our heart to watch Matthew go through so much and live with daily pain. His mom Taryn used to think that things would get easier as Matthew got older. But, in fact, they are getting harder because Matthew has so much anxiety and fear of the unknown. The worries of Matthew’s well being never go away, they just change with age. When he was an infant, we had to carry him on a pillow because he would just break in our arms. Now, as a teen, Taryn worries about him not advocating for himself and making people around him aware of his presence if they are not paying attention. Recently, her biggest concern is how to transport Matthew to school, music lessons, appointments and Boston Children's Hospital in an unreliable vehicle.
From the time Matthew was born, he would lie in his hospital bed with one arm raised in the air like a fighter saying “I am going to win this fight.” He never gives up and he rarely gets down on himself, even with the many physical and mental challenges he faces. His resilience is astounding.
Matthew is in need of a new wheelchair accessible van. The family's current van is failing, and Matthew needs reliable transportation to get from place to place. His electric wheelchair, Big Red as he calls it, is the one thing he has that allows him to get around independently. Matthew does not walk and without his wheelchair, needs to be carried everywhere, a continued challenge as he has gotten older. Please consider helping Matthew and his family "win this fight" to purchase a new handicap van.
Thank you in advance for your donations.
The Smith family is in need of a new wheelchair accessible van to meet Matthew's daily challenges.
Matthew, was born with Osteogenesis Imperfecta, otherwise known as OI, or Brittle Bone Disease. OI is caused by a mutation of a gene that affects the body’s production of collagen found in bones and other tissue.
Matthew has type III OI, which is a more severe form. Matthew has had approximately 40 procedures over the past 19 years ranging from brain surgery to rod implants in his spine and femurs. Matthew has had countless broken bones, most of which go undetected. Matthew endures all of this with a smile on his face, never complaining. He amazes us each and every day, but it breaks our heart to watch Matthew go through so much and live with daily pain. His mom Taryn used to think that things would get easier as Matthew got older. But, in fact, they are getting harder because Matthew has so much anxiety and fear of the unknown. The worries of Matthew’s well being never go away, they just change with age. When he was an infant, we had to carry him on a pillow because he would just break in our arms. Now, as a teen, Taryn worries about him not advocating for himself and making people around him aware of his presence if they are not paying attention. Recently, her biggest concern is how to transport Matthew to school, music lessons, appointments and Boston Children's Hospital in an unreliable vehicle.
From the time Matthew was born, he would lie in his hospital bed with one arm raised in the air like a fighter saying “I am going to win this fight.” He never gives up and he rarely gets down on himself, even with the many physical and mental challenges he faces. His resilience is astounding.
Matthew is in need of a new wheelchair accessible van. The family's current van is failing, and Matthew needs reliable transportation to get from place to place. His electric wheelchair, Big Red as he calls it, is the one thing he has that allows him to get around independently. Matthew does not walk and without his wheelchair, needs to be carried everywhere, a continued challenge as he has gotten older. Please consider helping Matthew and his family "win this fight" to purchase a new handicap van.
Thank you in advance for your donations.
Organizer and beneficiary
Jen Godin Surmeian
Organizer
Lincoln, RI
Taryn Smith
Beneficiary