Meet Matthew

Matthew struggled to remove his seat belt and then couldn’t open his door, so he crawled over the center console and quickly pushed his way out through the passenger door. Thankfully, all four of the boys traveling in the car were able to escape. However, Matthew sustained significant burns to his legs and right hand.

Moments later, as police and ambulances arrived on the scene, Matthew was transported to the Arizona Burn Center – Valleywise Health. The paramedic who cared for Matthew was astonished by his composure through the entire traumatic event and recalled him saying to her, “I won’t give up. I’m a fighter.”

When he arrived at the Arizona Burn Center, Matthew was placed in a medically induced coma, undergoing emergency surgery. He remained in a coma for more than six weeks as he underwent additional procedures. The clinical team at the Arizona Burn Center – Valleywise Health determined Matthew had sustained burns over 40% of his body.

During his time in the Arizona Burn Center, Matthew lost 25 pounds and received nourishment through a feeding tube. Following the six weeks Matthew was in the medically induced coma, he spent another week healing in the Arizona Burn Center before being released to an outpatient facility and later returning home to his family. Matthew’s recovery included physical therapy appointments three times a week throughout the summer to regain his strength and mobility.

Less than one year after his accident, Matthew was back at school in the fall of 2022, going to classes and hanging out with friends. In 2023, he was able to compete on his high school’s golf and football teams. Matthew found healing and recovery by playing the sport he loves.