Meet Matthew – He. Is. Amazing.

Seven-year-old Matthew is amazing.

He’s faced obstacles and challenges in his young life, but the truth is, you’d never really know it. Matthew always has a smile on his face. He works hard at everything he does. His mom, Janine Schroeder is beyond proud of her son’s resilience.

Matthew can not use his right arm and hand and his right leg is weak. This all stems from a Cavernous Angioma in his brain that bled and affected his right side when he was just 3-years-old.

“We started noticing symptoms such as Matthew falling a lot, speech was not right and he all the sudden stopped using his right hand when he was right handed,” Janine recalls, “So, we brought him to the doctors and that’s when they sent him for several tests and it took about 3 days for the diagnosis. He was diagnosed with a cavernous angioma in August of 2013 right before he was turning 3 in October.”

The family persevered.

“It’s a very rare disease so we had to do a lot of research. He did have brain surgery on Sept 1, 2013 to remove the angioma. It was an 8 hour surgery because the angioma was very deep in Matthew’s brain. They removed most of it but Matthew has to be monitored yearly probably for the rest of his life to make sure what is left of the angioma doesn’t re-bleed, grow or any new ones form.”

So yes, there are challenges. But no, Matthew does not let it stop him,

“As far as his motor skills he will probably never get them back but nothing stops him from doing what he loves and wants! We are thankful for each day and even though he can’t use his right arm and hand he smiles and lights up a room with his sense of humor and friendly disposition.”

Matthew loves school, playing baseball and playing catch with his dad. Nothing stops this little guy!

Matthew’s passion and drive can remind all of us that we can do anything we want to do, as long as we are willing to try!