On Wednesday, February 22nd, our friend Matthew Watson suffered sever trauma to his head, neck and spinal cord in the cervical region as a result of a fall he took at home. He was rushed from Upper Nyack to Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla where he underwent a multi-level spinal cord fusion surgery to relieve the spinal cord compression and swelling. The surgery was successful, but Matt remains with only limited motion and sensation in his arms, hands, and legs. This is a result of Central Cord Syndrome (CCS) caused by the trauma to his spinal cord.

Central cord syndrome is the most common form of incomplete spinal cord injury characterized by impairment in the arms and hands and to a lesser extent in the legs. The brain's ability to send and receive signals to and from parts of the body below the site of injury is reduced but not entirely blocked. This syndrome is associated with damage to the large nerve fibers that carry information directly from the cerebral cortex to the spinal cord.  These nerves are particularly important for hand and arm function. 

While patients with CCS generally have a good prognosis and recovery, it is too soon to tell when Matt will regain his full range of motion and fine motor movement. This type of injury needs a lot of time, healing, and rehabilitation, so it is just too soon to say how long this journey will be. Matt is facing a long recovery and will be transferred to Helen Hayes Hospital to enter their comprehensive Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Program.

Matt has an excellent team of doctors focusing on his physical needs allowing his incredible family and friends can help him get through emotionally.

Matt has been married to Danielle for almost 15 years, and they have a beautiful five-year-old daughter, Bree, who just started kindergarten this fall. He is also a therapeutically licensed optometrist and the owner of Eyevolution Optique, a 13-year-old independent optometric practice and boutique optical shop in Nyack, NY. Currently, the practice is closed, but in the coming weeks, it will reopen with limited hours.

A Facebook page called “Doc Matt Watson's Recovery” has been started to provide updates from Danielle and their family about Matt’s progress and communicate any direct needs that arise. The Watsons are overwhelmed by the amount of love and support their community has shown them and are beyond grateful. Matt’s recovery is going to be extensive and exhaustive, and long-term needs will arise that the family can’t even begin to forecast at this time. His page will communicate those needs as they become known.

Ride to Give loves this beautiful family and knows the best way we can support Matt, Danielle, and Bree is setting up a funding page on their behalf. 100% of the proceeds raised will go to paying Matt's insurance bills and co-pays as well as support the Watsons while Matt heals. It will be six months to a year before they know for certain what Matt’s ultimate prognosis will be, but his doctors are cautiously optimistic that by next summer he will again be able to walk on the beach in Nantucket holding his daughter’s hand. Please help Ride to Give support Matt’s healing by making a tax-deductible donation.

If you have inquiries about Matt's recovery and donations or need help with Eyevolution Optique, please reach out to “Doc Matt Watson's Recovery” on Facebook or send them directly to mattwatsonrecovery@gmail.com.

Contributions are solicited with the understanding that the donee organization (Ride to Give, 501c3 tax ID 46-2952297) has complete discretion and control over the use of all donated funds.    Questions about how your donation is used can be answered by clicking here.     Please visit Ride to Give on the web at www.ridetogive.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ridetogive.