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Contra Costa Times

October 25, 2008

Long Wharf to Long Beach

Man's cross-country wheelchair odyssey from Boston ends at Aquarium of the Pacific

By Pamela Hale-Burns

Matt Eddy, a 31-year-old with a severe form of muscular dystrophy, arrives at the Aquarium of the Pacific Saturday after a 3,335-mile wheelchair trip from Boston. He was accompanied by his therapist, Ron Steenbruggen, on the bicycle, and his dogs Maya and Daisy. Eddy started from the Long Wharf area of Boston. (Jeff Gritchen/Staff Photographer)

LONG BEACH - "I want to go to Disneyland."

That's one thing Matt Eddy would like to do after traveling more than 3,000 miles across country in his wheelchair, an odyssey that ended Saturday morning at the Aquarium of the Pacific.

Eddy was 5 years old when he was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a severe form of the disease characterized by rapid progression of muscle degeneration that can eventually lead to loss of the ability to walk, paralysis and death.

But, despite the diagnosis, Eddy chose to not only enjoy his life, but to help make the lives of others like him better.

That's why the 31-year-old has traveled so far to raise awareness of disability related issues.

"I've always wanted to see the country, and I came up with this crazy idea four years ago," he said.

Two years ago he founded Matt's Place Inc., an idea that stemmed from wanting to help him return to his community after being institutionalized for complications of the disease.

The cost of institutionalization and the fact that people are happier and tend to stay healthier in their own homes were also factors.

"We figure no one really pays attention to a new charity, so maybe we could get some attention by doing this trip," he said.

Eddy's friend and respiratory therapist, Ron Steenbruggen; Ron's daughter, Danielle; and her friend, Andrew Mallett, joined Eddy on his journey.

Therapist Ron Steenbruggen, with dogs Maya and Daisy, accompanied Matt Eddy on his wheelchair journey from Boston. (Jeff Gritchen/Staff Photographer)

"We've seen a need everywhere.

Some states don't have anything set up for the disabled and there's an urgent need for it," Steenbruggen said. "It's a bad situation and something has to be done to help the physically disabled. We're going to do something."

Having experienced the challenges of finding a home accessible to his needs, Eddy decided to find a way to build the homes himself.

"It's (life) been tough at times, but pretty decent for the most part," he said. "I've had good people taking care of me."

The goal of Matt's Place is to improve the lives of those living with disabilities by building accessible housing, providing community awareness and education, personal care staff assistance, and helping with the transition from health-care facility to home.

So, on June 30, the Massachusetts resident left the Long Wharf Aquarium in Boston, mapping out his travel plans along the way.

"My idea was to go from Long Wharf to Long Beach because it was a long journey, but a couple of weeks ago we looked at the map and saw the Aquarium of the Pacific and we thought how perfect to start at one aquarium and end at another," Eddy said.

Matt, who has limited use of his arms, uses a vent and cannot walk, was unstoppable on his venture and proudly rolled into the Aquarium of the Pacific on Saturday afternoon.

"I've done every inch of the way in the chair," he said. "At the end of the day, I'd get in the van to go to the hotel or where we were camping and then I start the next day exactly where I ended."

On day 115 of his trip, his excitement could be sensed through his blog.

"Wow I'm so close I can taste the salt air," he wrote.

With the exception of a few "close calls with some police," who wanted him off the road, the trip was smooth.

"It was a tough journey, but it was worth it, and I had a lot of fun along the way," he said. "People, for the most part, were really, really nice."

After arriving in Southern California, Eddy reminded everyone of the one other thing he wanted to do.

"I'd like to see Disneyland. I've been to Disney World, but I wanted to see what it's like out here in California," he said.

"There's just something about Disney that makes me smile. You don't just have to be a kid to enjoy it. The parks actually have more for adults than children. The characters have you running down Nostalgia Lane remembering the innocent times of your youth," he wrote in his blog last Friday.

"Hopefully in a year or so, we'll build our first Matt's Place," he said. "Until then we'll see what happens. We're gonna build the first one in Boston and then we want to build all over the country, whereever it's needed. It's just the beginning. There are lot of big things coming our way."

According to Steenbruggen, Eddy, who handles much of the business end of Matt's Place, can, like many disabled people, take care of himself in his own home.

"It's amazing what you can do when you give someone a chance. Taking care of them is not that big a deal. If he can travel across country there's no reason he can't have his own apartment."

Eddy encourages others to not allow a disability to stop their dreams.

"You should not be afraid to do whatever you want in life. Do everything to the fullest," he said. "If you're like me, with a disability, you shouldn't let that get in the way of your dream. I've just finished a huge dream I've had."