On June 7, 2016, three days before his 29th birthday, Matt Wetherbee suffered a significant spinal cord injury (SCI) while playing basketball, a sport he loves and has played since middle school. Matt was instantly paralyzed below his shoulders and spent two months at Massachusetts General Hospital, followed by three months at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital working on his recovery before he was able to go home.

Matt, a quadriplegic, has made incredible progress since his injury. This progress was due in part to his four-times weekly therapy at Journey Forward, a non-profit facility in Canton, MA that serves clients with SCIs.

Matt launched the MW Fund after quickly learning firsthand how important it is for those living with SCI to have access to daily exercise and therapy - not only for their physical recovery but for their mental health. After leaving a rehabilitation hospital and being discharged from outpatient therapy, insurance often does not cover the cost of exercise facilities specializing in SCI, which can cost a minimum of $100 per hour. This is difficult for most to afford given the extra costs associated with SCI, which is why the sole mission of the MW Fund is to offset these financial burdens by awarding financial assistance to those looking to begin or continue their specialized therapy but simply cannot afford to.

Matt currently resides in Louisville, Kentucky where he is participating in epidural stimulation research at the University of Louisville. This research has resulted in many positive changes to daily life for Matt, and other participants, including the ability to stand, regulate blood pressure, move voluntarily, improvements in bowel and bladder function, and overall mental and physical health. This cutting-edge research happening in Louisville requires individuals to move to Louisville and live there for a minimum of one year but in most cases longer. This research program does not cover living expenses, so at the beginning of 2020, the MW Fund began providing funding for individuals who are eligible for the research program but cannot afford these costs.