September 6 (Day 190) Matt Eddy's Million Smiles Tour

Happy Labor Day.... I guess that means summer is officially over!  Why does it seem to always go by so quickly.  I think most of associate Labor Day with the Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon.  I literally do not remember a labor day without the Telethon.  I know many people and groups who raise money throughout the year and donate year after year. 

There are 3 easy ways to donate: 
1-800-FightMD
http://www.mda.org/
text MDA to 20222 to make a $10. donation

Matt Eddy is an incredible man on an incredible journey. On June 5, Matt began his quest to set a new Guinness Book World Record “Trans USA by Wheelchair” while conducting the “Million Smiles Tour.“ Matt left Lynn, Massachusetts on June 5, 2010 at 10am and has been driving his wheelchair on back roads across the USA with a final destination of Long Beach, California. Matt’s goal is to cross the USA in the shortest time by wheelchair while collecting one dollar from one million people. The journey is estimated to end in early October, lasting 120 days. The funds raised from the “Million Smiles Tour” will support the programs provided by Matt’s Place Inc.

Matt has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and is only strong enough to move two fingers. He is confined to a wheelchair and requires a ventilator to breathe. Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a genetic disease is a severe recessive form of Muscular Dystrophy characterized by rapid progression of muscle degeneration.
 
Matt was diagnosed at the young age of 4 and was able to walk until he was 10. At the age of 20, Matt was institutionalized for 6 months after a tracheotomy was placed and he became ventilator dependent. With the help of Matt’s Place he was able to move out of the institution into his own community home with full medical supports. This is Matt's second big trip... from June 29, 2008 to October 25, 2008, Matt took his wheelchair Roll’n Across America Summer 2008 tour to raise awareness for disability issues and represent Matt’s Place, a charity that Matt and his Respiratory Therapist Ron Steenbruggen started to build accessible houses for people with severe disabilities so they can live independently in their communities.

Matt’s Place  is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization which helps people with severe physical disabilities who are intellectually capable of directing their own care live independently in the community. Matt's Place Inc. began as a grassroots organization in October 2000, to help a young man return to his community after being institutionalized for complications of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The extraordinary cost of institutionalization and the fact that people are happier and stay healthier in their own homes has created a push to return children and adults with disabilities to their community. Many face great challenges finding a home. Once home, they also face financial and daily living challenges.

While many organizations focus on prevention and cures, Matt's Place seeks to improve the lives of those currently living with disabilities. Matt's Place builds accessible housing, provides community awareness and education, personal care staff assistance, and help with the transition from health care facility to home.

Matt’s Place provides housing, caregiver training and scheduling and community education and awareness. Currently there are millions of non-elderly adults living in nursing homes and chronic care institutions simply because there is a severe shortage of affordable accessible housing. The programs of Matt’s Place are a win-win situation for all Americans. Enabling people with severe physical disabilities to live independently within their community not only provides a better quality of life for people with disabilities but also is more cost effective.




Get Involved: 

Donate to Matt's Place.



Source: www.officialmattsplace.org