CAPTAIN INFORMATION
MATT SMITH, 11
Grand Rapids, Michigan
My name is Matthew, but everyone calls me “Matt”. I am a triplet along with my sisters Allison and Katie. When we were born we were very small. We came three months early. We are now 11 years old and doing fine. We are going into sixth grade at Northern Trails at Forest Hills Northern. Go Huskies! To top things off we have a two year old sister named Caroline. I was the one who taught her how to crawl early.
My favorite things to do are hunting with my dad, shooting my BB gun, tubing, tennis and drawing. This Fall I want to give fencing a try. I am also a HUGE Harry Potter fan. I am a Tender Foot in Boy Scouts. It’s pretty cool in Boy Scouts because I can go rock climbing and swimming and tons of other things. My favorite subjects in school are Social Studies and Science.
You may not know this, but I have Cerebral Palsy. I was diagnosed when I was one. People ask me what it is and I tell them that it is like my brain is sending messages to my legs in English and my legs only speak Hungarian. I have to teach them how to communicate the right way. I started physical therapy when I was just six months old. When I was two my parents discovered Conductive Education. I have been doing that ever since. Last Fall I took my first two independent steps. I am working on my balance so I can take the third step. The third is the hardest. People think that after you take the first the rest is easy. That’s not true. You see I have to keep stretching myself or I will lose everything that I have gained. I have had only one surgery in my life so far. It was in St. Louis. It was tough! Today, I get around with my canes and my walker at school and at home.
I have a great life. There are those days that I hate having CP. Then I ask myself, what can I do about it? Not a whole lot, it stinks! All I know is that I wouldn’t know the people that I know or be able to do the crazy things that I have done so far in life. For example: this triathlon. This is going to be one crazy ride! There is no telling what I can do with a little help from my family and friends. People like my team of Angels help me do all that I do. All of them are working so hard to allow me a little breather from all the hard work.
I will see you at the finish line!
Special Note: Matt has inadvertently become the poster child for myTEAM TRIUMPH, having done every single event with us last year. His enthusiasm to participate & “encourage” his Angels has become his m.o. at our events. We are excited to offer him more opportunities to participate this year and look forward to him sharing his story with those whose lives he touches. Matt has a joy for life that is contagious. I hope you get to meet Matt someday. It WILL be a life-changing experience.
-- Terence Reuben