My topics are usually about technology, startups and entrepreneurs. This time it is about a friend, classmate and a great person. This time it is about Matt.

This is how I remember Matt. I took this photo back in 2010. But Matt is no longer like this. His life turned upside down and it could happen to you too. Read below why he needs your help now. You can also read the story directly at the fundraising campaign page.

Matt played for Cambridge University in 2010 and 2011 while studying for his MBA and was 1st XV captain in 2011. He was also a member of the Canadian national rugby team in both the 15- and 7-a-side squads from 2002 to 2006 and was captain and MVP of the latter in 2005.

Matt suffered a neck injury in 2002 while playing for Canada. The extent of the injury was misdiagnosed and he was advised to play through the discomfort, which he did for the balance of his career, causing serious damage to his spine in the process. Additionally, Matt has recently been diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), a connective tissue disorder that leaves him prone to ligament and tendon tears and severe degeneration and arthritis. For further reading on this condition, visit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ehlers–Danlos_syndrome.

Matt has been unable to work since completing his MBA in 2011. In order to survive, he has exhausted his savings and RRSP funds, accumulated significant debt, and now tries to live off his $750/month disability allowance.

Matt has significant earning potential as evidenced by his strong work ethic, business and personal network, and his status as an elite athlete. He is, however, caught in a cycle where he’s in too much pain and too fatigued to work or make much progress in his recovery since many of the treatments that help him are not covered by the Canadian health care system and he has no additional benefits coverage. 

Matt does well with low impact exercise in water and various modalities such as physiotherapy, massage therapy, chiropractic, and other similar treatments. We are arranging for Matt to see a chronic pain specialist and a geneticist to see if they can offer some fresh opinions and are planning to enroll him in a chronic pain management course this fall. 

We are raising funds to help Matt to access treatment, pay for a pool membership, and return to a state of health where he can work and support himself. Matt’s weekly medical treatments cost $450 (or $90 each) and a monthly pool membership costs $40. Your contributions will help him achieve his goals. 

Many thanks for joining our efforts to help Matt get his life back. 

We need to help him. We have set up a fundraising campaign. Please donate as much as is dear to you. Every contribution counts.

Thank you!