Five years ago, Matthew Sullivan’s grandfather suffered a debilitating stroke. Although he was only 12 years old, Matthew saw the profound effect this had on his entire family. His active grandfather suddenly became incapacitated and his grandmother became a full-time caregiver. The family structure was altered and everyone was affected emotionally, socially, and financially.

Matthew lives far away from his grandparents, so he looked for a way to help stroke victims and their families closer to his home. He decided to volunteer at the Stroke Comeback Center, a community-based non-profit organization in Vienna. The Center offers classes to help survivors overcome the symptoms of stroke and provides them with opportunities for entertainment and social interaction. While survivors are at the Center, family members are free to run errands, knowing their loved ones are being cared for.

Matthew has volunteered at the Center and organized a Fun Run and an online fundraiser which raised $10,000. There is a charge for classes, and this money allowed many survivors to attend for free. Additionally, as part of his Eagle Scout project, he built a “Little Library” in the center to make books readily available.

Matthew also works to educate the younger scouts in his troop about strokes and its victims. He taught them to recognize the early signs of a stroke and he discussed the importance of treating all the Center attenders with respect and dignity. He pointed out that the inability to speak does NOT mean that the patient is unable to understand. Matthew’s coaching and encouragement enabled the younger scouts to see past the disability and to recognize each client as a unique human being.

College and Career Specialist Lynn Otto summarized Matthew’s contribution, “Matthew is continually working to help resolve conflict and bring a sense of peace to the lives affected by stroke.”