Matt's Story
(Written by Matt's mum)
How can I sum up in a few lines the impact that our special little boy made on all of those around him in his few short years of life?
Matt was our second child, a much wanted brother for Dan. Our world fell apart in January 2007 when at the age of 22 months he was diagnosed with a highly malignant brain tumour, an Ependymoma. Matt endured countless operations, radiotherapy and chemo. Due to the surgery he lost the ability to walk, talk, move, swallow, sit up. He went through all of this never questioning, never complaining, always smiling, imagine your worst nightmare, Matt was living it.
Through sheer determination Matt re learn all that he had lost.
Matt survived until he was 5 years 11 months, it wasn't long enough, we would give anything to have one more second with our precious boy. He died peacefully on the 1st of February, just as the moon was coming out (Matt loved all things to do with the planets and stars).
Above all Matt will not be remembered for his illness but for the amazing lilttle boy that he was, the little boy who would comfort others at school when they were upset, the little boy who could light up a room with his chatter and laughter, the little boy who's dogged determination allowed him to overcome so many obstacles we as adults will hopefully never face.
