In December 2017, Matthew was diagnosed with autism. It has been an adventure for our family, making our girls the biggest and best advocates for their brother, and making our family stronger with the support of the doctors, teachers, therapists, family members and friends that have been a part of #teammatthew with us along the way. Each day brings new challenges, but more importantly, it brings more joy and laughter. 

We will be running in the Eagles Autism Challenge this year together, which is how we have faced every challenge, surprise and adventure that life brings our way. In case you don't know Matt, let me share some of what his oldest sister Madeline has written about him.

"Remember when I told you one in 59 children is Autistic?  Well, one of them happens to be my little brother. His name is Matt and he is four and a half years old. He likes playing outside, playing with our family, and he loves seeing his teachers and my friends.  Some things are hard for Matt, like listening to instruction and expressing his feelings. Matt also likes everything to be in order, like when he lines up all his Legos by shape and color.  Thanks to Matt’s teachers, therapists, and family he is getting better at those things every day. Even though he’s not like most four year olds, he is the best four year old brother I could ask for.  There is a saying I came up with last year that goes like this “Autism is the puzzle piece that completed our family picture” and that truly describes my family. Even though I have missed out on things because of Matt, I wouldn’t have traded what I have now for anything else in the world!"