Updates After Injury June 2019

Jonathan Raynor·13 mo

Big news! Thanks to your generous donations, Matt is almost ready to start the process of purchasing a handicap accessible vehicle. This piece of equipment will be the most vital step in furthering his recovery. As you may or may not know, right now, he's essentially stuck at home. PT & OT come to the house, but it has proven to be pointless. The therapists seem to have little-to-no experience with his level of injury (c5/c6 incomplete SCI), they essentially give him a quick shoulder massage, make small talk and leave. He has some exercises from the Mt. Sinai Rehab Center that he can do "on his own", but he needs one of us to help him with them and we are not trained physical therapists specializing in (SCI) Spinal Cord Injury. Arranging rides to appointments has been a hassle (often, they show up late, are questionably road-safe, sketchy drivers, or they don't show up at all). They've been so much of a hassle that certain necessary medical appointments have been missed or just brushed aside as not worth the trouble. Not only will a van allow him to finally get to the outpatient PT and OT that he requires to get stronger, it will give him freedom and a sense of autonomy. Matt is generally an upbeat, positive guy, however feeling trapped at home would make even the happiest of us struggle to stay in good spirits. Adjusting to life in a chair is a lot to fathom as it is, being stuck at home not able to get to proper treatment is simply an unnecessary and unacceptable hurtle. Matt loves being outside, meeting new people & exploring new places. One of the key components to getting him back doing what he loves is a safe, reliable and accessible vehicle that him and his family can use for years to come. Please consider donating what you can to help us reach our goal of helping Matt get back out there.

Jonathan Raynor·13 mo

Two articles have been published about Matt, check them out! Bridget LeRoy, from the Independent wrote this very nice article on Matt: https://indyeastend.com/arts/charity/get-matty-ray-back-on-the-bay/?fbclid=IwAR2KGQPhuOi91c7jqmUCkB2_aOzIrGIJnO4vOM9zf0LtxAUIgDgBiMvsxG0 Nicole Barylski, from Hamptons.com published this interview: https://www.hamptons.com/Community/Community-News/25800/INTERVIEW-Jonathan-Raynor-On-The-Get-Matty-Ray.html Matts event is coming up soon, if you haven't RSVP'd for the event you can do it here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1429021167223198/ Thanks again everyone, all your donations are greatly appreciated. Hope to see you all at the Barn!

Jonathan Raynor·13 mo

Hey everyone, one week from today is Matt’s fundraiser @ the Boardy Barn at 6pm. Thank you everyone for all the awesome donations for the Chinese auction. If anyone else would like to donate something please contact me or Victoria. Matt is doing well and acclimating to life at home. We’re trying to fundraise money to buy him a handicap accessible van. These vans are very expensive, $40k+. We’re hoping between this GoFundMe and the Boardy Barn fundraiser we’ll be able to get Matt out and about again! We have not had much luck with Ambulette services, so the van is the only way to go. I know he’s really looking forward to be able to get out of the house and see the water again.

Jonathan Raynor·14 mo

Huge thanks to all the contributors for this amazing new bathroom. Thank you all so much! Check out the video Victoria made.

Jonathan Raynor·14 mo

One month from today, July 27th 6pm at the Boardy Barn is Matt's fundraiser. We hope you all come down to support a great cause. If anyone would like to donate items for Matt's chinese auction it would be greatly appreciated. Anything you think someone would put a raffle ticket in for please consider donating. Matt is also coming home today, a tremendous effort was put forth to get my parents home ready for his arrival. Thank you everyone who contributed to that massive endeavor!

Jonathan Raynor·14 mo

Hi everyone, Matt will be coming home on Thursday, June 27th. If anyone knows of home health aids or live in nurses, we would really appreciate the contact info. It appears to be more difficult than anticipated to get skilled nursing out east to Hampton Bays. My mother is going to be the primary care taker of Matt and it will be a tremendous responsibility that one person will not be able to tackle. Thank you to everyone who contributed to working on my parents home. Your efforts, material costs, and love are greatly appreciated.