Matt Rhodes
Matt Rhodes was an Army Physical Training Instructor with the 1st Battalion, the Devonshire and Dorset Regiment. He served in Germany, Canada and the summer of '95 tour in Bosnia, until sustaining severe injuries as a result of a motorbike accident. The accident left him paralysed down the right side of his body, and he was registered as blind due to brain damage.
When he was first put in contact with St Dunstan’s, Matt was struggling to adjust to sight loss and reduced mobility. St Dunstan’s carried out a thorough assessment looking at Matt’s needs and what he wanted to achieve. He worked closely with a specialist member of staff called a ROVI (Rehabilitation Officers for People with Visual Impairment) who taught him key independent living skills such as getting around safely and navigating a kitchen.
A dedicated Welfare Officer was also assigned to Matt who helped ensure he received all the benefits and services he was entitled to. Matt’s Welfare Officer provides ongoing practical and emotional support and refers him for suitable training and rehabilitation with St Dunstan’s.
As Matt was living in a flat which was unsuitable for his needs, St Dunstan’s rehoused him in a suitable property. Our Estates and Welfare Teams worked with an occupational therapist to adapt the house and ensure parts were custom built to enable him to navigate safely and easily.
Matt says: ‘St Dunstan’s has enabled me to lead a normal life. When I was introduced to them I was struggling to cope, I felt different and wasn’t sure where life was going. Being a St Dunstaner made me realise I wasn’t so different - their combination of practical and emotional support gave me the confidence to try new things. As well as rehousing me, they also taught me to touch type, so I can easily keep in contact with friends via email and publicise my fundraising exploits! I also use the Craft workshop at St Dunstan’s twice a week Ovingdean Centre and enjoy painting and creating mosaics.’
Now aged 34, Matt lives with his wife and their four children. He says: “Since my accident I have never let my disability stop me from doing anything and, over the last couple of years, I have completed various sponsored events to give back to the charities – such as St Dunstan’s – that have helped support me.”
Matt began his fundraising exploits with a 12,000ft skydive in 2004 and then swam, abseiled, paraglided and rode a horse, all in the name of raising money for St Dunstan’s. In 2007 he completed the London Marathon alongside his mum Hilary.
His toughest challenge to date was completing the first Brighton Marathon in 2010. He raised money for St Dunstan’s and Guide Dogs for the Blind and completed the run over two days. “I was in so much pain but there was no way I was going to stop. I wanted to do it for everyone at St Dunstan’s because they’re amazing."
A growing number of ex-Service men and women are desperate for support: more World War Two veterans are losing their sight and more young British soldiers are at risk of returning home blind.
The reality is that we cannot meet this growing demand without you by our side. Please help us give more blind heroes an independent future. Please support
St Dunstan's
