Matthew's Story

On Friday August 1, 2008 four-year-old Matthew Baldwin was involved in a tragic incident and lost his right leg. Matthew was spending the evening with his mother at her boyfriend’s home in Swan Quarter, NC. Matthew was playing in the yard when her boyfriend accidently struck him with a riding lawn mower. First responders from nearby agencies were able to stabilize Matthew and take him to a nearby hospital. From there he was air lifted to Pitt Memorial Hospital in Greenville where surgeons performed emergency surgery and saved his life, but they were not able to save his right leg, which was amputated above the knee. After seven days in the hospital Matthew was released. In October, Matthew was fitted for his "robot leg" and within a few weeks he was walking. Matthew’s family and friends continue to reassure him daily that he can do and be anything his heart desires. Click on the links under A Hero's Journey to follow Matthew's incredible progress.