Let's Help Phil Mattson CAMPAIGN TERMINATED 2019

TO ALL: THIS CAMPAIGN FOR PHIL MATTSON HAS BEEN TERMINATED AND WILL BE TAKEN DOWN VERY SHORTLY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CARE. 

LET'S HELP PHIL MATTSON
Welcome to this GoFundMe page in support of Phil Mattson. Please watch this short video or read the information below to find out more about Phil and his story. We hope you will help us spread the word about this campaign by sharing  it in as many places and with as many people as possible. Thank you!
ABOUT PHIL
Phil Mattson is an award winning educator, arranger, pianist, and conductor. Over his 40 year career, he has enriched the lives of thousands of music students through his dedication to quality and integrity in music performance and education. Phil has written over 150 vocal arrangements, many of which have become staples in the world of vocal jazz. His works have been performed and recorded by The Manhattan Transfer, The Real Group, The Four Freshman, as well as his own Grammy nominated vocal group, The PM Singers. He recently received a lifetime achievement award from the Jazz Education Network (JEN) affirming his status as a legendary figure in choral music.

Phil’s other great passion in life was riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle. He's owned several of them over the years, and he road them often, and HARD. At age 62, he broke multiple long distance records, including riding over 30,000 miles in a month and over 130,000 miles in a year – he was a very serious rider! Even at age 76 he was still riding almost everyday and would often tell folks, “When I’m on my Harley, I feel like I’m 18 again.”
We've started this fund raising effort because Phil Mattson, our teacher, mentor, and friend needs our help.

THE ACCIDENT
On September 3, 2015, Phil was on his Harley waiting at a stoplight when he was struck from behind by a distracted driver. He and the bike were knocked down hard to the pavement and he was airlifted to a trauma center. He suffered broken ribs, contusions, and multiple spinal fractures requiring a lengthy emergency surgery. Although his spinal injury was considered “incomplete” it left him mostly paralyzed from the waist down. Even after months of therapy, the doctors believe that he will never walk again and will need a wheelchair for the rest of his life. He will also require full time care to manage his daily needs and he will not be able to live on his own.
Remarkably, Phil has remained upbeat and positive even in the light of all the physical and mental challenges he now faces as a result of this tragic event. He started singing to his nurses almost immediately after waking up from that first surgery and has continued to charm them all with his wit and humor. A few days after the accident, he had already begun doing reserach on a three wheel "tricycle style" Harley, and within a couple months (while still in the rehab facility) he had resumed weekly rehearsals with his vocal group. He has been keeping hope alive and that is a true testament to Phil's strength and spirit!

FINANCIAL NEEDS
Of course, this campaign is NOT about getting Phil a new Harley. (His ability to ever ride again is a real longshot)  It's about helping him get his medical and care bills paid. These bills are substantial and ongoing. While Medicare has paid for much of the hospital costs so far, there are a number of things that Medicare WON’T cover and those bills have been piling up. His rehab coverage ran out in January. Since then, he has had to pay about $230 per day for his basic care needs. (Already over $20,000 and continuing at around $7,000/mo.) These costs will likely remain a constant for the rest of his life. There are also non-medical costs, legal fees, and so on - it’s all adding up fast. 

Unfortunately, the person who hit him had only the minimum insurance coverage required by law. Medicare has the right take all of the insurance money available, if they choose to, as repayment for what they have spent on him. This would potentially leave little or nothing for Phil’s future care, and whatever there is could take many months to be paid out. The bottom line is that due to this very unfortunate accident, Phil can no longer afford to take care of himself. His monthly net income from social security, retirement, and his Iowa properties falls far short of supporting his current needs. 

Simply put: We hope to raise as much money as possible to help Phil pay for these current and future expenses. We want him to get the best care possible and also to be able to have money to pay for the equipment and services that aren’t covered by any type of insurance or assistance. The goal of $84,000 represents the approximate cost for 1 year of his housing, food, and daily nursing care. Of course, his need is likely to exceed that in the future. Fortunately, this GoFundMe Campaign can remain open-ended.

MOVING PHIL TO CALIFORNIA
Phil has been living in Minneapolis since 2009 where he has many good friends. However, none of his actual family lives in state. All of his doctors agreed that he would be much better off living close to family so they can help him consistently with the challenges he faces going forward. Phil's son Mark secured a place for him at Sunrise of Studio City (an assisted living community) which is located just a few blocks from his home. It’s an ideal location, and Phil is already familiar with the Sunrise Golden Valley where he has been living since January. Mark, his family, and a number of close friends in the area (including myself) have committed to visit and assist as much possible so that Phil can continue to thrive and have the best possible quality of life
UPDATE: We're happy to report that on April 25th, Mark and Phil made a successful flight from MSP to LAX and Phil has officially taken up residence at the Sunrise of Studio City. He is steadily adjusting to his new home and has even taken in a bit of California sunshine.

PLEASE HELP 
We chose GoFundMe because all the donations made will be available right away to use for Phil's expenses. 100% of all donations will apply to Phil’s current and future needs.

For those of us who have had the privilege of singing Phil's arrangements, listening to his beautiful piano playing or studying with him, as I have, this is a chance to give back to him at a time when he truly needs it. We would be so grateful for your contributions, large or small, towards this most worthy cause. PLEASE GIVE  and also SHARE THIS MESSAGE  with anyone who loves teachers, musicians, music, or motorcycles. (or ALL of those things)

Thank you…Thank you…THANK YOU!  

From Michele Weir & The Mattson Family

(Thanks to Angie Doctor for her caring support and help in the creation of this GoFundMe campaign. Video created by Mark Mattson.)