Matthew's Black Tie Birthday Bash
Nicknamed the “mayor of St. Mary’s,” Matthew has been in the hospital since he was two and a half years old. But despite his rare genetic condition leaving him very medically fragile, Matthew has beaten a lot of odds.
As a newborn, Matthew’s parents were told he may not even make it through the night. His condition, which affects less than 100 people in the U.S., causes skeletal abnormalities and paralysis, mental disabilities and reduced function of the heart, lungs, liver, and spleen.
But on his wish, he celebrated a milestone birthday in the best way – surrounded by his family and the people who love him.
Because of hospital restrictions and the pandemic, Matthew’s family hadn’t all been in a room all together in over 3 years. Limited to one visitor at a time, most of Matthew’s interactions with loved ones had been through a phone screen, leaving him feeling isolated.
More than anything, Matthew wanted connection, to see and feel everyone in his support system.
Matthew never had a prom, and a wedding is unlikely, so his mom wanted to give him the perfect Black Tie Party to celebrate his birthday. There was only one problem – Matthew couldn’t leave the hospital, so the party needed to come to him. And it was no easy feat.
The party needed to be meticulously planned, in coordination with his medical team and the hospital. But in the end, his wish granters managed to pull together the party of his dreams, complete with a formal dinner, DJ and Photobooth.
Though Matthew hasn’t experienced much of it, he loves New York City, so the party brought his city in through the hospital walls to him. And when he entered to the room filled with his family, friends and hospital volunteers to “Empire State of Mind” and dressed to the nines, it was pure joy and love.
"Once he changed into his tuxedo, all of the nurses, doctors and staff were lining up to take photos with him! I have never seen him this excited!" said his social worker.
Matthew's wish allowed him to celebrate and connect with his community - his family and the people of the hospital who have cared for him for years. Being able to see and physically feel everyone in his support system helped break the isolation he'd been feeling for so long.
According to his mom, Matthew's wish has had an immeasurable impact on his mental health and strengthened his family bond in a way that would otherwise have not been possible. Simply, it gave him hope and joy.
“Today has been a dream, to see Matthew and all of my boys together looking so handsome… it’s all I could ever want," his mother said. "Never lose hope, and do the best you can for your child no matter what, because you don’t know what tomorrow brings.”