Your Dollars in Action
Matt, Sugar Land, TX
Matt is like many teenagers. He likes to listen to music, play computer games, and ride his bike. But for this young man, the road traveled has not always been smooth or easy. Matt has Asperger’s syndrome, hypothyroidism, suffered the effects from right-sided paralysis when he was born and he was overweight - borderline diabetic, in fact. Matt’s mom, Laurel, knew she had to do something. She applied for and received a grant from UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation (UHCCF) for physical therapy and a special three-wheeled bike for Matt.
Laurel says his progress since receiving the grant has been in "leaps and bounds". Matt, who was never able to ride a bike, began riding everywhere. He rode around the neighborhood, to school and even to pick up milk for his mom. As a result of all that bike riding, Matt started losing weight, his muscle tone has increased and his posture has improved.
With the help of physical therapy, Matt’s body awareness has increased and he now stands straighter and taller, has better eye contact, and increased fine and gross motor skills and strength.
His mom said people began noticing the changes right away and complimented him. His increased muscle tone and strength have helped him with another favorite activity of playing in his high school marching band.
Laurel says the grant from UHCCF helped eliminate Matt's diabetes and helped him participate in an activity he really enjoys and helped him find his niche.
Laurel also says Matt has developed into an amazing young man who wants to be a chemist and work for the CDC, Pentagon, or NASA. She’s grateful for the grant from UHCCF and tells everyone how it impacted Matt's life, "Before that, we didn’t know what was going to happen with him."
Just look at him now. As his mom describes it, "his progress has been from zero to amazing".