Almost $30,000 raised for injured USU student

When Matt Bowen found himself floating face-down in the water near Newport Beach, California, he thought he was going to die.

“I’m dead. I’m dead. I can’t move. I’m paralyzed. My life is over,” he said, according to his friend Brock Bird when he was pulled from the water.

Bowen, a Utah State University student, was body surfing with his friends on March 14 when a wave overtook him, and he hit his head on the ocean floor. His friends rescued him and now, 13 days later, he is being treated for a neck injury — a broken C5 vertebrae — at a hospital in California.

After a surgery the night of the injury, surgeons told his family that his chances of walking again are slim. However, the next day doctors said he may regain mobility because the broken vertebrae only led to a bruised and compressed spinal cord, not severed. For now, he is paralyzed from the waist down and has trouble moving his hands and fingers, said his father, Gary Bowen.

In addition to his vertebrae injury, he is being treated for pneumonia from breathing in a large amount of seawater before his friends could reach him. He had a tracheotomy on Friday, and breathing tubes now prevent him from speaking.

Since Matt’s injury, thousands have rallied in support of him and his family.

In less than one day, a GoFundMe account for Matt’s medical bills raised more than $10,000. Today, nearly $30,000 has been raised by almost 300 people. The donations have come from friends, family — even strangers — from all over the world, Gary said.

“It’s moments like this when you realize how good people are,” he said. “We’re really grateful for the love and prayers and support.”

Gary said his family has received help from neighbors, friends and family who have brought meals, offered places to stay and shown their love through phone calls and visits.

He said these people are “angels” and “heroes” in his family’s life.

Matt loves the support from the community, said Sean Cassity, a friend and fellow USU student.

“He chokes up emotionally anytime anyone talks about the donations or how much people care,” Cassity said. “You can tell he’s in so much pain, but he loves the support.”

The Bowen family started a Facebook page, Miracles for Matt, that has nearly 2,000 followers. The family updates the page often with news of Matt’s recovery. An update on Sunday said Matt is beginning to struggle emotionally in response to his injury.

“You know, we’ve been on an emotional roller coaster,” Gary said. “The nurse told us that he will do the same. He’s afraid. He’s afraid he’s never going to move again.”

Matt’s friends are optimistic that he will recover.

“He’s a stubborn kid, and he’s not going to let this have a permanent setback for him,” Bird said. “He’s going to get through it.”

Matt will stay at Hoag Hospital in California for one to three months until he can breathe on his own, Gary said. After that, he will be transferred to Utah where his injury will continue to be assessed.

“It’s going to be a long haul, and it’s going to be really hard,” Gary said. “Keep praying for him.”

Matt, a student in the management information systems program, has withdrawn from classes and the university has refunded his tuition due to his current condition.

To see how he is doing or make a donation to his medical fund, visit facebook.com/miraclesformatt or gofundme.com/miraclesformatt.

— melmo12@gmail.com