Matt has been using AC since he was three years old. Matt has a mitochondrial disorder and is extremely limited physically. He is able to use a chin muscle to control a single switch and uses a Pathfinder to communicate. Matt also uses a Blackberry that interfaces with his Pathfinder to send and receive wireless email. This has been extraordinarily fun and useful in keeping connected with family, friends and school. Matt’s friends are for the most part non-disabled.

The best way to describe Matt is that he’s a jock in a wheelchair. He adores all sports. His favorite “just for fun” pastime is going to the track, where he watches and bets on the horses. His Pathfinder gives him the independence to participate on a very equal paying field at the track (he’s quite good). He’s also a real movie buff.
 
For the most part, I consider Matt to be a very normal young man who happens to have a body that doesn’t work. I never think of him as non-verbal because he’s a wonderful communicator who, even with few words, gets his thoughts across beautifully. Matt’s Pathfinder is Matt’s voice and having been an AC user for most of his life, (a former LightTalker user) he lives his life with grace and courage.  I don’t know if Matt really knows any other AC users but I do know that he’s a true inspiration to all who know and love him.  

Submitted by Katherine Ananis