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Matthew Tomassini is 21 years old and has been riding for almost three years at Centaur Stride. Matt, along with his mom or dad, travel 35 miles one way every Saturday for his lesson. Not only does he ride, but he has learned how to care for the horses by grooming and saddling them as well. Matt needed a very gentle narrow horse since he has very limited range of motion in the hip area. Matt first began riding Rosie, a mule, because she is much narrower than most of the horses there. In May of 2010, the center received a donation of new horse, named Dude. Dude is a beautiful chestnut gelding who easily passed all the special testing and training to become a therapy horse. Soon after Matt began riding Dude, he volunteered to be one of the exhibition riders for the visitors at the Open House for the facility. Matt showed everyone how to do figure eights, walk backwards, place the rings on the appropriate hooks on the wall of the arena and how he could stand up in the stirrups, all independently. These tasks may have looked easy to the visitors, but were huge achievements and quite difficult for Matt. Matt’s family, as well as Matt, were truly amazed and extremely proud of what he had accomplished even in that short time. Now, he is beginning to trot.
Matt graduated last June from Jamestown High School. He participated in Centaur Stride’s Program called Project Horseworks with several other “cadets” where they learned some work skills and had their own gardens. Matt loved his time socializing with others and learning new skills. He’s hoping to help raise enough money so they can have the program again this year.
Matthew has an extremely rare disorder called Trichothiodystrophy (TDD). This is a DNA repair deficiency disease. For Matthew, it affects the skin (Ichthyosis and Photosensitivity), hair, bones (Osteosclerosis & Osteopenia), a compromised immune system, blood (chronic neutropenia & beta-thalassomia trait), dysmyelination in the brain, short stature, low-frequency hearing loss, and is mentally challenged. Matt has been in a protocol for this disorder at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland since August 2003. He is one of their oldest living patients (now 21).
Because this disorder is so rare, the doctors and nurses have studied Matthew and have learned so much from Matt, and have been able to help approximately 15 other children and their families. There is no cure for TTD.
Matthew has a wonderful disposition and always has a smile on his face. It’s no wonder that he was given the Optimist Award in 8th grade at Jefferson Middle School!
Matt volunteers for the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign every year. When he can, Matt will accompany his Grandpa Bob (Ortendahl) to deliver meals for Meals on Wheels. He has always helped his sister with her numerous school fundraisers and sporting events, serving food or selling tickets. Megan is now studying to become a physical therapist.
Matthew first came to Centaur Stride several years ago for a class field trip with the Jamestown School. He was very excited about seeing the horses but was unable to ride due to his medical limitations, specifically, unable to get his legs apart to sit on the horse. Now with his two new hips, Matt is thoroughly enjoying this experience. This is something he can actually do by himself – with some assistance of course – but it’s something he can call his own. And it is therapeutic, physically, emotionally and socially.
Matt lives in Jamestown, NY, at home with his dad (Ray), mom (Claire), sister (Megan), and Megan’s puppy (Lily). Matt’s mom, Claire, has been on the Board of Directors at Centaur Stride for two years and received the “Bruce Walford Community Service Award” , recognized by the Resource Center for her efforts at Centaur Stride. She is dedicated to making sure this very special place stays around for Matthew and many others. Please join us in our efforts to help Centaur Stride help others like me.
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