Who I Am & What I've Been Through
I'm Matthew Raynor — a quadriplegic full-stack developer, artist, and writer who survived a catastrophic diving accident that left me paralyzed from the chest down.
Before that day, I was a commercial fisherman working off the coast of Montauk, living wild and braving storms. A dive meant to ease tendonitis ended my mobility — but began my rebirth. I taught myself how to use a computer with two styluses and voice commands. From that place of near-total limitation, I rebuilt my life with code, creativity, and spiritual grit.
Want to dive deeper into my story? Explore my writing on my blog and Substack:
What I Do – Art, Writing & Press
I'm a multidisciplinary creator. My drone and landscape photography becomes fine art prints. My memoir, Before Me After Me, documents my physical and spiritual transformation. My work has been shown in local art shows and featured in the press — including National Fisherman, The James Lane Post, The Southampton Press, and more — not just for surviving, but for creating beauty in the aftermath.
Photography & Art – Before and After
Before my accident, I took photos from fishing boats and during my travels — capturing wild seascapes and distant places. After I became paralyzed, I adapted through drone photography.
Aerial shots gave me a way to keep creating — and a way to rise above. I've shown my work in pop-up art fairs and galleries across Long Island. Now, I offer custom drone photography and aluminum prints.
What I Build And Why You Need Me
I taught myself to code as a way to rebuild my life after a spinal cord injury left me paralyzed from the collarbone down. At first, I had lost my ability to create—and with it, my sense of purpose. So I invented a custom workflow that let me overcome my physical limitations and start programming.
Now, I build modern, full-stack web apps using Django REST Framework, React, TypeScript, Tailwind, and Bootstrap. My recent work includes HistoryFace, an AI-powered image generator that fuses selfies with historical figures using facial recognition and machine learning, and a real-world logistics dashboard for an art moving company that handles scheduling, invoicing, and client management. I also maintain a live e-commerce site through my portfolio, MatthewRaynor.com.
If you're looking for someone to take your idea from concept to deployment, I'm already in the chair—ready to ship.
What I Inspire – Motivational Work
My mission is to inspire others who are in dark places. I share raw reflections on disability, recovery, and faith through Substack, TikTok, and YouTube. I've hosted recovery meetings in a nursing home and write honestly about Buddhism, trauma, spiritual growth, and the power of discipline. I mix humor and heart to help others find their light — because I had to find mine the hard way, too.
For funny and motivational videos, check out my TikTok:
How to Help
I'm working toward moving out of the nursing home and rebuilding my life in the community. Here's how you can support that journey:
- Housing: I'm looking for an accessible apartment within 30 miles of Southampton, NY. The space must allow 24/7 caregiving and either be pre-adapted or open to reasonable modifications.
- Care: I need daily help with physical care — especially someone trained or willing to be trained to assist with medication and hygiene, including suppository administration.
- Fundraiser: My fundraiser helps cover moving costs, accessibility modifications, and essentials for independent living.
Where I Show Up – Online
Across platforms, I share stories of resilience, code, art, and laughter. Find me at: