In 2004, at 17 months, Matthew contracted Haemophilus Influenza Type B, which led to Meningitis, undiagnosed at the time, resulting in Matthew being left with a severe neurological deficit and ventilated.
in 2017, when I became his case manager, he was attended Gorey Community College for his secondary education supported by a staff nurse. The McGrath’s are an amazing family who are an inspiration to everyone.
In 2019, Matthew completed his Junior Cert. In 2020, he travelled to Barcelona on his transition year school trip. He did work experience, visiting the National Garda Immigration Unit and many other projects. He completed his leaving cert in 2021 and started attending the National Learning Network in Wexford and UCD since 2022. To the left is a picture of Matthew before attending his Debs.
Matthew won Young Achiever of the Year, Gorey Awards, in 2022. He set up his own website http://wheeleasybeaches.ie/promoting access for wheelchair users and physically impaired to beaches in Wexford. He visits South Africa regularly with his family. He is a great sports fan and supporter of Leinster and Ireland Rugby and attends most of their matches.
Thank you to Matthew and his parents for their permission to publish this.
