🏥 The Challenge

I joined the Army at 17 years old as a light-wheeled mechanic (91B) and later transitioned to a combat medic (68W), attaching to the 2/75th for training exercises. In 2014, I switched to psychological operations before transitioning to the Air Force in 2018 as a Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) member. My goal was to retire as a Joint Terminal Attack Controller, but my career was cut short due to injuries sustained during a deployment spin-up.

My injuries include:

Left knee meniscus removal (bone-on-bone).
Right knee meniscus tear (untreated).
Diagnosed and service-connected issues under review: both hips, low back, neck, left shoulder, left elbow, right shoulder, and both ankles.
Loss of strength and mobility in my neck, low back, left shoulder, and elbow.

Currently, my pain level is a 7 out of 10, my physical activity level is an 8, but my quality of life is just a 3. Daily activities like sitting, standing, or even starting my day are a challenge without stretching, rolling out, and doing mobility exercises. I avoid activities I used to love, like biking, running, surfing, and backpacking.

These challenges have made it difficult for me to hold a blue-collar job, and I’ve had to rely on my wife to support our household while I pursue a degree in biblical counseling. I’m currently taking 18 credits a semester to finish my degree as quickly as possible so I can contribute financially and allow my wife to focus on raising a family.

🌟 Discovering Hope

Stem cell therapy offers me a chance to regain mobility, reduce pain, and improve my quality of life. With this treatment, I hope to:

Heal enough to pursue a career that allows me to support my family.
Be an active and present father to our future children.
Regain the ability to do the activities I love, like running, biking, and backpacking.

My ultimate goal is to create a stable and happy future for my family, where I can take on the role of provider and allow my wife to fulfill her dream of being a stay-at-home mom.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 A Family's Future

Family is everything to me. My wife and I are trying to start a family, and I want to be the kind of father who can run, play, and wrestle with my kids as they grow up. I want to take them outdoors, teach them how to ride a bike, and be an active part of their lives without being limited by pain or injury.

Right now, my injuries are not only affecting my ability to work but also creating stress in our household. My wife is carrying the financial burden while I work toward my degree, and I want nothing more than to ease that burden and create a better future for us both.

💰 The Financial Reality

Stem cell therapy is my best chance to heal and regain my life, but it comes at a significant cost. Unfortunately, this treatment isn’t covered by insurance or the VA. This fundraiser is to help cover the expenses of this life-changing therapy, giving me the chance to heal and build the future my family deserves.

Your support—whether through a donation or by sharing my story—would mean the world to us.

⏰ Why We Need Your Help

Every day that passes is another day of pain and limitation. With your help, I hope to:

Reduce pain and regain mobility.
Pursue a career that allows me to support my family.
Be an active and present father to my future children.
Improve my quality of life and ease the stress on my household.

🙏 Gratitude and Hope

"This journey has been humbling, but Kaity and I are hopeful that with your support, we can heal and move forward into this next chapter of our lives. Thank you for taking the time to read our story and for considering helping us on this path to healing."

Every contribution, no matter the size, brings us closer to a brighter future. Thank you for your generosity and kindness.

Support Matthew's Stem Cell Healing Journey

"My greatest hope is to heal so I can raise a family with my wife, and be an active father for our future children."