Matthew in 2026

How’s Matthew Doing?

It’s a question we’re often asked. The honest answer?

“Grand” or “Great.”

Both would be fair responses, but the reality is that Matthew is a young man with severe autism and very complex additional needs. In practical terms, this means he needs full time care and benefits from an individualised approach to each day, helping him have some “normal” experiences and ensuring his days are as positive, fulfilling, and enjoyable as possible. The help that Matthew needs, outside of his state daycare, is only possible thanks to the generosity of all the people who donate their time and money.

What Does That Involve?

The state-provided daycare service, which helps him greatly, only provides some of the support for Matt, he also needs exercise, stimulation and engagement with his surroundings. This can only happen with skilled experts who can bring him out and allow him to experience normal activities in the outside world that most of us can take for granted. These experiences bring immense value to Matt’s life allowing him to connect with his surroundings, enjoy himself and make the most of each day. Without this care & support Matthew regresses and his challenging behaviours become much more pronounced.

Matthew’s Challenges

Of course, Matthew’s life has some very serious challenges. Matthew needs constant care and stimulation. He regularly experiences periods of anxiety and behaviours that can be difficult for him and us to control. These range from repetitive behaviours to heartbreaking episodes of self-injurious behaviour.

While the frequency of these challenges can change over time, they remain part of Matthew’s daily reality. They are something that we must live with and cope as best we can. The carers who look after Matthew help him to be more relaxed and happier, which has a direct impact on the frequency of his challenging behaviour. Without the carers supporting Matthew, his life would be much more difficult.

The People Who Make a Difference

As a family, we do everything we can to support Matthew. We strive to be his helpers, companions, advocates, and friends. However, the reality is that providing the level of support he needs requires significant expertise.

That is why the carers who spend time with Matthew are such an important part of his life.

Lorcan, Kate, Antoinette, and Eya are among Matthew’s favourite people. Each has brought their own kindness, values, and energy into his world. They have welcomed Matthew into their homes, their lives, and their daily activities, creating opportunities and experiences that help keep Matthew in a good place, without them his life would be much more challenging and difficult for him.

For Matthew, being included in everyday life is invaluable. It is these meaningful connections and shared experiences that help him be calm and more relaxed.

So, How Is Matthew Doing?

When people ask, “How’s Matthew doing?”, we find it difficult to answer with anything other than “Great.”

Unfortunately, not because every day is easy, but because with the help from the funds raised by you, Matthew can experience a life filled with friendship and care.

How Is This Made Possible?

Behind the scenes, an incredible community comes together to support Matthew.

Through the dedication of the Mighty Matthew Cycle team, a remarkable network of volunteers has grown into what can only be described as a finely tuned orchestra of generosity and goodwill.

This community extends far beyond Clontarf and beyond county boundaries. Every year, supporters come together to cycle in Matthew’s name, proudly wear the iconic Mighty Matthew jersey, and raise vital funds that help make these life-enhancing experiences possible.

Without these funds Matthew’s life would be considerably different and his challenges, repetitive behaviours and self-injurious episodes be more frequent and harder to manage.

Your kindness, commitment, and support have had a profound impact on Matthew’s life and on our family.

We will be forever grateful for the time, effort, generosity, and thoughtfulness shown to Matthew.

Thank you.

Kevin, Lesa and Family

 

Matthew in 2024

Matthew – our young man at the centre of this wonderful community & friend based fundraising cycle that was born out of love, care and empathy. . . Matt continues his journey in life buoyed by the help given through the time and energy of all those who volunteer to cycle, help out, support and raise money for the trust. The selfless work put in by all involved in getting us from Clontarf to the many different destinations to which we’ve cycled is and has been a marvel to see in all it’s glory. The hard working event organisers, the Terrific Twosome, Liam and Paul, the Safety team – Van Drivers, Motorbike Outriders, Cycling Captains, Medics, Mobile Repair Crew and to the Engine of the team – all the girls providing the food, beverages, sweets and cakes with their Formula One Pit stop-esque timing and precision always spot on, and to You. . . yes You – all the many people who have cycled with us over the past 9 years.

For whatever reason, all good for sure, you give your time and bother your nearest and dearest to sponsor you to put your backside on the line so to speak. Lesa and myself are eternally grateful to you for what you do for Matthew and indeed our whole family.

Matt is in Abhainn Day Care service in Baldoyle. This is a service for young adults with varying degrees of autism. The staff are there to care for Matt and his pals attending activities through the week or a simple walk, whatever suits the day. This service has just recently returned to a five day service. Matt’s day finishes at 3:30 each day and with the help of the Mighty Matthew Trust we can have a professional carer take Matt out for a trip/activity which is how Matt is best served.

Matt’s quality of life is what matters and the ability to be able to call on the service of carers to bring Matt out, or go for a drive, or go to the supermarket or to do the 2 hour bedtime routine is so valuable to Matt and our whole family. Unfortunately for most of these activities it is only possible for Matt to do this with a professional carer who knows how to engage with Matt and keep him occupied and calm.

Matthew’s challenges will always remain a part of his life. Matt’s self injurious behaviour is still his go to behaviour at this time but with the quality time spent with the carers and the more close attention he receives with being busy enjoying their care, what follows is what we as a family seek for Matthew. He can be a smiling, happy young man with a real ability to interact with his peers and pretty much anyone who is engaging with him but this is only possible with the right level of care which the Trust fund allows us to do. Without the trust fund, Matt’s quality of life would be significantly different.

We are so proud of Matthew for trying so hard to live his best life. His happiness is our happiness. The contribution made by the Mighty Matthew Cycle and all those who have put themselves forward to act for Matthew and our family is immeasurable and we thank you sincerely from the bottom of our hearts.

Thank You

2019…

It’s been a great year for Matthew and we cannot thank you enough for providing the resources to help with Matt’s continued development. With the ongoing help of his carers Al, Antoinette, Sinead and Susan he is making great progress with outdoor activities and becoming part of the community.

Matt has almost completed a 180 degree turnaround in how he interacts with dogs. His anxiety around dogs was affecting his ability to partake and fully enjoy time spent walking in the outdoors and in public parks. His starting point was one of absolute fear triggered by an innocent interaction with a young bouncing slightly over enthusiastic Labrador who simply lifted his paws onto Matt’s chest. Matt was only 8 at the time but it left a long lasting impression. Fast forward to last year and Antoinette decided to try to change Matt’s relationship with dogs. 

She began by showing Matt some pictures of her own dog “Daisy”. Progression through being around Daisy to eventually petting her and finally getting to where we are now whereby Matt actually asks to bring Daisy on his walks. He will now even hold the leash and walk and run with Daisy in the parks. Antoinette showed amazing patience and persistence to make this happen and this helps calm Matt down and allows him more frequent walks in the parks.

All four carers have put great time and effort into regularly bringing Matt swimming to the point where Matt can now do a couple of lengths of the pool. He really loves the water and again comes home from the pool in a happy and relaxed mood.

In terms of being out in the community and now being able to take part in some of the normal day to day activities this has a tremendous impact on Matt and plays enormous part in helping Matt to have a truly happier life.

This was borne out when Antoinette and Sinead brought Matt to Lus Mor Hostel in Wicklow in March. They did a few long walking trails out around the resovoir and even managed to have a bit of lunch in the local pub with Matt. This is the first time that Matt has slept overnight outside of his home or a care home. This gave Matt a new freer respite which brought smiles and happiness all round.

Finally on a cycling note Matt got his own bike last Christmas and has managed to complete a lap of St Anne’s Park! With the summer weather we hope to be able to make this a regular activity for Matt and get him out in the open air a lot more often.

Thanks again to all of you for your continued support of the Mighty Matthew Trust. hopefully this gives you some insight into how the trust is working to improve Matt’s life.

Kevin, Lesa, Matt and family.

Matthew’s story

When our son Matthew was born nearly 18 years ago it was one of the best days of our life. This magnificent perfect beautiful boy that we absolutely adored.  For the first 2 years of life Matthew developed like any other child, passed all assessments with flying colours. Then things started to change he stopped talking, lost all eye contact , was completely in his own world moving further away from us every day.  He was diagnosed with autism at the age of 3 years. Our whole world was turned upside down. It was like bereavement but there was no time to grieve. We had to pick ourselves up and get immediately on the autism road to recovery!!! We read every book, spent hours on the internet, it was all about early intervention so time was of the essence. We did every therapy, diet and schooling that was possible. Some made a little difference while others did not.

To fast forward 15 years Matthew is now almost 18 years of age. Matthew now has so many challenging behaviors. Self-injury behaviors, for example smacking his face so hard that it bruises, pinching and biting his body, pulling his hair out which can lead to infection. He also has rituals like OCD which have to be adhered to on an hourly daily basis. He requires supervision 24 hours per day.  He suffers many sensory issues, to combat this he has to use ear defenders to block normal noises which can really upset him.  He wears a hat and gloves all the time to try to stop him from injuring himself when he becomes upset.

Our family consists of 3 other children, a daughter who is 17 years of age and twin boys aged 9 who absolutely love Matthew but as you can imagine is difficult for them to live with on a daily basis with someone with so many complications.  We have of course gone and done everything within our powers at this stage to help Matthew in the best way we can and whilst the experts (St Michaels House, Social Workers, Psychiatrists and psychologists) in the field all agree we are in crisis point and recognize the fact that Matthew is a very complex case there seems to be no funding available to help us.

Matthews’s condition has worsened significantly since his original diagnoses. There have been times we have felt we were isolated and alone in trying to deal with all the issues that Matthew has. In addition to this deterioration, the cutbacks that have been occurring in the HSE have made life for both Matthew and our family very difficult and challenging.  However we have been overwhelmed and shocked by the support we have received from our family and friends who have watched us struggle over the years with little or no support from the HSE. Out of this Matthews Trust was born and from there, this blog- Mighty Matthew!