Matty H's quilt    (Quilt Completed)

Thank you

To all you wonderful beautiful ladies at LoveQuiltsUK - THANK YOU so so much. Matty was so excited when he saw the quilt, My husband and I were so emotional. You are truly amazing. I can't explain how it feels to know that people who have never met your child take the time to make something so special. We feel blessed every day as Matty is such a joy and to see his beaming smile has touched our hearts in such a big way. Matty will be taking his quilt to his special school next week to show everyone and it will go on respite and hospital visits. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, love to you all, Tracey & Mike and massive huggles from Matty. xxx

Finished photos

Individual squares

Fabric

Donated by: Denise, Doncaster	Donated by: Mariann, Swansea

Biography

My name is Tracey, Matthew or Matty as we call him is our adopted son. We met Matthew in a childrens high dependency when he was 10 months old. He was a very poorly boy and we were so shocked to see him. We came in as foster carers and spent 3 months training in Matty's medical needs so we could bring him home.

Matty came out of hospital on the 8th Jan 2008, he had lived his whole life in hospital with no family. Matty has a critical condition in his airway called tracheobroncho malacia. He is 24 hour ventilated via a tracheostomy. Without this support, Matthew's airway would close down. His airway is not improving and we are looking at many years of Matty being attached to all of this equipment quite possibly forever.

Matthew had many surgeries including a repair to his heart. His airway and tummy were fused together as a baby and had to be separated, another extreme surgery, because of this Matthew will never be able to eat via his mouth.

Every day is a challenge but we wouldn't change a thing. Matthew is our inspiration. On his adoption party, we had wrist bands made with the words "unique" and "inspirational" on them as this describes our little boy completely.

Matthew is in many ways a normal 4 year old, he can walk and play, he is just totally restricted with the medical equipment he needs to survive.

We don't know what the future holds, it's so scary. Matthew's airway can close at any time even on the ventilator, he can block his trach at any time and it's endless suctioning and meds and feeds. I know that Matthew can die at any time, it's one thing knowing but difficult to except and live with everyday.

My little boy is the most courageous, beautiful little angel and I am so blessed to have him in my life. I would beg people to foster and adopt children like Matty and take them from hospital, even if their lives are short, at least they would have had that home with family and been surrounded in love. Matthew is the centre of our lives, my older boys adore their little brother.

Send us good wishes for my little man. I pray that my son will be with me for as long as possible. (Wow that was emotional)

Thank you for taking the time to read just a little about my gorgeous son. xx