​Matt Branch has worked tirelessly over the past 5 months to get back on his feet.  His attitude of fearlessness and determination have made him seemingly unconquerable!  On Monday, May 20, Matt and his family traveled to Joliet, Illinois to begin working with David Rotter of Rotter Prosthetics to get him started on his road to movement independence.  He will be there through next week learning to use his new equipment, but in the meantime, here is a sneak preview.

​It’s great to see you up and on your way to a great future, Matt!!

​When Matt Branch and friends gathered for an annual hunting trip just after Christmas 2018, the last thing on anyone’s mind was that a dog would jump up onto the back of a Polaris Ranger and hit the safety and trigger of a shotgun causing an accidental shooting.  Matt was struck in his left leg causing severe damage to his leg and femoral artery. Being in an area that rarely has a cell phone signal, fellow hunters miraculously were able to call 911. Miracle number 1.  Deciding to get him to the closest road rather than back to their camp was the second miracle.  By getting him to the road, precious life-saving minutes were saved as EMS responders were able to begin treatment and transportation much faster. Just prior to the accident, Matt had fallen into the water while duck hunting on a cold day.  After being shot, Matt was losing blood fast, but his reduced body temperature helped to reduce blood loss. 

​It’s not often you would be glad you fell into cold water on a cold day, but count this as the third miracle.

Fighting to survive, Matt endured many surgeries over the next few days. Doctors saved his life, but were not able to save his leg. He lost his left leg at his hip.  As Matt fought through pain and the emotions of such a traumatic injury, reality began to set in and he contemplated his future and whether he could be a meaningful provider for his wife and young son.  Never having thought he would ever be in such a position was confusing and overwhelming.  We began speaking with Matt’s father, Mark, about ways we could assist their family during the recovery process.  They had a lot of questions and very few answers.  They wanted to get the best care for Matt and restore his mobility and productivity in the best way possible.  In mid-February 2019, Jenny, Evan, and I travelled to Jackson, Mississippi to visit with Matt and his family. 

​We also arranged travel from Chicago for David Rotter, one of the best prosthetists in the world, to meet us there.  David is extraordinarily effective in working with high leg amputations and has a great ability to listen to his patients.  After examining Matt and learning more about his lifestyle, David listened to Matt and his wife and answered their questions relative to his needs, desires, and adjusting to life as an amputee.  David showed them videos of some of his patients with similar amputations and was able to very effectively illustrate the prosthetic equipment and technology that will make it possible for Matt to adapt to his “new normal” while resuming many of the activities he cherishes.

​Matt is home now and continues his rehabilitation activities.  He has already been able to return to driving which has been liberating for him.  Over the next few weeks and months, Matt and his family will continue to develop their plan for additional surgeries and prosthetics care.  We are very excited for Matt to return to an active and productive lifestyle and we are happy to help them.

What a great story featuring Nick Trotter from Illinois.  With the heart of a champion, this 6 year-old competitor shows us all how to feel like a king who has it all.

Source: http://www.14news.com/2019/02/13/year-old-with-no-feet-one-hand-succeeds-wrestling/?fbclid=IwAR3b4fJiH1AyEzbWsEKJJGqa_MhG02Ixiq7DEQ-0c_foN4AYQ5deHSPojZc