My name is Matthew Goldberg. I served this country for 22 years as a Green Beret, dedicating my life to protecting freedom and standing shoulder to shoulder with my brothers and sisters in arms. I carried the weight of that mission with pride through deployments, hardship, and sacrifice. But service comes at a cost, and now I face a new battle: healing the injuries that never made the headlines but have shaped every day of my life since.

I am a 100% disabled veteran. Years of physical strain, trauma, and sacrifice have left me with chronic pain and mobility challenges that limit my ability to live fully. I’ve tried conventional treatments, but the damage runs deep. That’s why I’m turning to stem cell therapy, a promising, regenerative approach that could restore function, reduce pain, and give me back the freedom I once fought to protect.

This treatment isn’t covered by the VA. It’s expensive, and as someone who has always been more comfortable giving than asking, it’s humbling to reach out now. But I believe in the power of community. I believe in the strength of shared purpose. And I believe that healing is not just for the body—it’s for the soul, too.

Your support isn’t just about funding a medical procedure. It’s about helping a soldier reclaim his life. It’s about honoring the invisible wounds of war and standing up for those who stood for you. Every donation, every share, every word of encouragement brings me one step closer to walking without pain, to holding my loved ones without wincing, to living with dignity. This is my next mission, and I can’t do it alone.

Thank you for standing with me.

A Life of Service and Sacrifice

I was nineteen when I first raised my right hand and swore to defend this nation. What followed was a 22-year journey through the ranks of the United States Army, marked by grit, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to serve. I began in light infantry, quickly seeking out the most demanding paths the military had to offer. I became a paratrooper, earned the coveted Ranger tab, and ultimately joined the elite ranks of the Special Forces as a Green Beret.

Every assignment I took was a challenge I welcomed, a chance to push my limits and stand for something greater than myself. I served three combat tours in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom, where the stakes were real and the cost was high. I deployed to numerous locations across the globe, often in silence, always with resolve. My service was recognized with the Combat Infantryman Badge, three Bronze Stars, and numerous other awards and accolades.

The Injuries You Can’t See

After 22 years of active duty in the United States Army, serving in light infantry, airborne, and elite special operations units, I carry the physical toll of a lifetime spent in service. I am a 100% service-connected disabled veteran, and my injuries are extensive, affecting nearly every part of my body. Years of parachute jumps, combat deployments, and relentless physical demands have left me with advanced arthritis in both feet, knees, and hips. The pain is constant, and mobility is a daily challenge.

My shoulders are compromised, with a torn rotator cuff on the right side that limits strength and range of motion. I suffer from degenerative disc disease in both my neck and back, conditions that have led to multiple herniated discs and required surgical intervention in both areas. These spinal injuries are not just painful; they affect my ability to stand, sit, or sleep without discomfort.

The most debilitating injury stems from a ruptured L5-S1 disc, which caused severe sciatica and impingement of the sciatic nerve. This nerve damage led to significant muscle atrophy in my right calf, damage that is permanent and irreversible. The loss of muscle function has altered the way I walk and stripped away the physical confidence I once relied on. These injuries aren’t just medical diagnoses—they’re daily realities. They affect how I move, how I rest, and how I engage with the world around me. They are the silent echoes of a life spent in service, and they are why I’m now seeking advanced treatment options like stem cell therapy. This is to restore what can be healed and to honor the body that carried me through decades of sacrifice.

The Daily Reality

Throughout my life, I’ve made it a priority to stay active, healthy, and strong. As a soldier, that discipline was second nature. But now, the injuries I sustained during 22 years of service have taken a toll that no amount of grit can overcome. Running is no longer an option. Even walking short distances has become a painful challenge. I live with chronic pain every single day. Simple tasks like getting out of bed or standing up after sitting for a short time can be excruciating. My right shoulder aches constantly, often robbing me of sleep and rest. The pain is relentless, and it’s not just physical—it’s emotional, too.

These injuries have drastically limited my mobility and independence. And as I grow older, I worry about what the future holds. Will I be able to care for myself? Will I lose more of the freedom I fought so hard to protect?

What Healing Would Mean

Despite the years of wear, injury, and chronic pain, I’ve never stopped believing in the possibility of healing. I’m pursuing stem cell treatment because I refuse to accept that my current condition is the end of the road. Stem cell therapy offers a chance to regenerate the damaged tissues in my ligaments and joints, areas that have been worn down by decades of service and sacrifice.

My goal is simple but profound, to regain mobility, reduce pain, and reclaim the physical freedom that has slowly slipped away. This isn’t about returning to who I was at nineteen. It’s about restoring function, dignity, and quality of life. It’s about being able to walk without agony, sleep without interruption, and move through the world without fear of what the next step might cost me. I know this treatment won’t erase the past, but it could change my future. And that’s a future worth fighting for.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Every donation, every share, and every word of encouragement brings me closer to healing, to hope, and to the freedom I once fought to protect.

Matthew Goldberg’s Journey: A Warrior’s Next Mission—Healing Through Hope

By Miracle Hope Foundation

Matthew Goldberg’s Journey: A Warrior’s Next Mission—Healing Through Hope

“My goal is simple but profound: to regain mobility, reduce pain, and reclaim the physical freedom that has slowly slipped away.”