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Man Rebuilds Life After Stroke |
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By Nicole Hytinen Marketing Coordinator / SLANT Editor |
Matthew Scudder never imagined that, at age 47, he would be making a career change. Once a Shift Foreman and licensed Nuclear Reactor Operator at the Byron Nuclear Plant, he is back in school to become a teacher.
Matt’s career change ultimately stems from a stroke fifteen years ago while on the job at the nuclear plant. The resulting brain damage caused the loss of his peripheral vision and short-term memory. “To understand how I see things now, close one eye and look through the hole of an empty toilet paper roll,” Matt described.
Due to his vision loss, Matt was unable to perform some of the duties involved with his job. However, management at the plant did not want to lose him, so they moved him into a management position where they could still utilize his extensive knowledge and experience.
For twelve years, Matt thrived in his new position until new management came into control. Matt and 150 other managers were laid off.
Matt Scudder’s life seemed to spiral downward from there. He lost his driver’s license because of his vision, his wife left him and he was forced to give up his home. He moved in with a former co-worker from the plant while he looked for a new job. One year later, after sending numerous resumes, Matt was still unemployed. Despite his extensive skills and experience, no firms were interested in hiring someone without a driver’s license.
Left with no funds, Matt filed for Social Security benefits, but was denied. The argument was that he was able to work and had demonstrated that by continuing on at the plant for twelve years after his stroke.
He began to take care of a woman’s swimming pool to help out with his bills. The woman was a counselor at Rosecrance who was familiar with RAMP and recommended that he check into our services. He was referred to Brett Blair of RAMP, who provided invaluable peer support to Matt. “Brett has been there, done that. He really helped me to have a more positive outlook.”
In addition to peer support, Brett helped Matt with understanding the Social Security system processes, something that people don’t normally know about unless they are in need of Social Security benefits. Brett advocated for Matt with the Bureau of Blind Services, a division of the Office of Rehabilitation Services (ORS), to provide funding for schooling and transportation. This was necessary in order for Matt to get a job. Matt was also able to get a Personal Assistant (PA) through ORS and used RAMP’s PA Referral list to find a suitable individual to perform the duties for which he needed help.
With funding from ORS now approved, Matt felt that his best option was to return to school. He could collect financial aid to live off of while he earned a degree. Matt enrolled at Rock Valley College (RVC) for the 2002/2003 school year, where he planned to pursue his Associates degree in Building Construction Technology. He did very well and his outstanding grade point average earned him a place on the Dean’s List. Matt was also awarded the 2003 Gene Streitmatter Excellence in Technology Award from RVC for his “ability to overcome obstacles in his dedication to self-improvement through education.” Impressed by Matt’s strength and conviction to face life’s challenges and move forward, RVC Professor Bill Lawson urged Matt to apply for the award.
After completing the Spring 2003 semester, Matt only needed two more classes before he would earn an Associates degree. However, the classes were not offered at RVC until the Spring 2004 and Matt’s financial aid was contingent upon him attending classes. He decided to transfer to Southern Illinois University in Carbondale where he could be closer to his daughter, who was also a student there.
Matt’s plan is to obtain his Bachelors degree from SIU-Carbondale while, at the same time, attending nearby Logan Community College to complete the two remaining classes for his Associates degree.
Matt has several personal goals in addition to his academic and career aspirations. He enjoys planning and implementing the construction of houses and had averaged the building of one house per year before his stroke. Matt aims to resume this passion one day, and since his knowledge of construction has been strengthened by his recent studies, he feels that this goal is achievable in the near future.
Matt has also become very cognizant of his diet and need for cardiovascular fitness in order to stay healthy. He enjoys riding a bicycle in the ample countryside roads that Carbondale offers. He does not have to worry about traffic in that area, so his tunnel vision does not pose a problem.
Matt has even begun to participate in organized bicycle rallies where he and his group ride for about 100 miles at a time. He is signed up with "Cycle-America" to ride across the USA during the summer of 2004. “I don’t have to worry about traffic and I can focus on the tires of the person in front of me to see where I am going,” said Matt. He will ride 3,850 miles with a group of 20 cyclists. Matt hopes to secure a business sponsor for the event so that he may chronicle and broadcast the trip via digital satellite on a Web Site.
“The progress he made and the fortitude he showed in getting there is remarkable. His level of determination really made it a pleasure to work with him,” said Brett.
Matt Scudder has conquered many feats in his 47 years and RAMP will definitely "stay tuned" to find out what he is up to next.
Editors Note: Starting on June 28th, Matthew Scudder will ride a bicycle from Seattle, Washingon to Washington D.C. in support of the American Lung Association. He has pledged to raise $5,500 and can only do it with our support! Your tax deductible donation will help fight increasing air pollution, help reduce tobacco use (esp. among young people), and help prevent lung diseases, such as asthma, lung cancer, chronic bronchitis and cystic fibrosis. Visit www.alaw.org/scudder to learn more or to make a donation.
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