Road Runner Matt - Projects and Progress.

[thewisestfish]

Hiya,

have you been on dry land for a while?

[Matt the Aquaman]

Here's a little more info on me. Sorry this is a lot of text. If you want to know more about my project and me go to my web site. www.scubadivingdream.com

I have MD. I am 28 years old I use a custom trach. I have been on a LP10 ventilator for 10 years. Currently I use my LP10 at night and my Newport HT50 during the day when I am in my wheelchair. I also have a Port A Cath for yearly blood work (flushed once a month) and for emergency antibiotics. But I haven't had to use it for antibiotics for over 3 years. I don't think this will hinder my quest to go diving since I am not going to go very deep. Approximately one and a half years ago I used to be able to be off the ventilator during the day, now I am totally dependent on the vent except for the few minutes it takes for a transfer from wheelchair to bed and vice-versa.

As far as movement on my own, I am only able to move my thumbs and hands (I control my wheelchair this way through fiber optics). I also have scoliosis. None of this holds me back! I have slight movement in my legs and arms. When I am in the water I will be able to move my limbs easier, since you're weightless in the water. Doctors said I have 9 lives for as many times that I have come close to dying. But I am still kicking! The reason I am doing so well is I have a loving family. My Dad takes awesome care of me. My dad gave up a lot so that I could stay in our home. I also have great homecare nurses 8 hours a day. My dad takes care of me the rest of the time. I also have wonderful friends. All of them keep me going. I don't know how much longer I have to live, could be a day, could be a year, could be more. Sometimes doctors don't know the answer either. I have done a lot of things in my life. I have traveled around the world and fought many health battles. I love summer and going for walks. I am a big movie fan. I love computers, I do a lot with them.

Scuba diving is something I have wanted to do since I was around 6 years old. I never knew there were all these organizations out there for handicapped divers until now. Otherwise I would have done this sooner! My primary doctor happens to be a scuba diver also. He is willing to dive with me, when the time comes. My respiratory doctor, and his colleagues think it is possible with the right equipment.

In 2003 I lost my best friend, who was also my nurse Michelle Zimmer died. I realized that life is too short and to enjoy it while you can. I am going to enjoy every day like it is my last day. I don't know when my time is coming, but this is a big dream that I would do anything to make happen before I die. That is to go scuba diving. I would be happy to go just 2-10 feet under for 10 to 15 minutes. If I could go deeper for longer, that would be great. This dream is very important to me and my goal is to make a difference in the world and be a part in improving the ocean.. wether it be getting people and/or organizations interested in helping preserve our oceans or putting new artificial reefs in the ocean. I know what I am doing is going to help a lot of people. I do realize that the pressure underwater is different. I told my doctors, " I don't care how many times you need to take blood gases from me...lol!"

I am a very big fan of the underwater world. I have always been impressed with the Navy and the Navy SEALS and all they do underwater. The diving technology now is amazing. Nothing is impossible! I have tons of respect for the military and always wished I could have been a part of something like that. I also admire firefighters (my Great GrandFather was a Captain of the St Paul Fire Dept) and Police of all levels. You all have my utmost respect in life.

If man can go to the moon, I can certainly go scuba diving! It was a dream of someone to go to the moon at one time and it happened. I know that NASA does amazing things. Plus the technology for astronauts is similar to that of scuba divers. I watch a lot of TV shows on diving and have looked at many things on the internet. My favorite show is Deep Sea Detectives on the History Channel, starring one of my heros. John Chatterton. I guess you could say I am addicted! My favorite underwater creature is the shark. I am a big fan of the DUI (Diving Unlimited International) dry suits, and my passion is scuba diving.

Professor Mike Lombardi is helping immensely in the packaging of my project. Project Innerspace, a Rhode Island-based nonprofit agency that seeks to address critical human health issues through ocean exploration, already has agreed to sponsor me by contributing to some early-stage program development and project management. Mike Lombardi, who is on Project Innerspace's board and is also my friend said the group agreed to take on the project because it believes whatever life support system is developed will help everyone by advancing technology. I also have a few engineers from colleges out east that are going to work on this with me. If I get enough funds. A donation fund through Project Innerspace has been set up. It's a 501c3 nonprofit. One of my friends is testing a vent above water to see if it will work for my dive. If that idea doesn't work there are more ideas. You can see thenm on my personal web site, some of them are posted.

A great deal of the cost for my dream will go toward research and development and a special type of ventilator. This is the name of my project. Matthew Johnston Diving a Dream.

[Matt the Aquaman]

Hi thewisestfish Yes I have been on dry land for to long and can't wait to get off of it. I love the water.

Take care! Matt.

[Steve S]

Hi Matt,

that's wonderful news

Good luck,
Steve

Best of luck to you Matt.

It just goes to show, if you want something bad enough anything is possible.
Keep us posted

Corinne

[Mark Davies]

I had a good read of your site a few weeks ago when you first posted on UK Divers. What I was most impressed with is that this project has a lot more to it than simply realising your own dream. Clearly a lot of work and research is going on to help you that may be of great value to many others. It's great to have someone like yourself with so much drive to give this sort of work some impetus.

I'm sure there are now people all over the world watching your progress with interest. When you do dive (and I have no doubt that you will) I hope you'll be setting up a live webcast so we can enjoy it with you.

[dlegros]

Minty-soda huh?

That's some seriously cold water. Where abouts in MN are you - I've been to Longville (5h N of the cities, 2h W of Duluth) many times.

Dom

[Jules]

Matt

Do i understand that the technical challenge is to make a ventillator that will work at depth? I guess it would need to have some sort of variable pressure and also be able to detect the depth and adjust the pressure accordingly? I am guessing that it's a mixture of scuba technology and ventillator technology. But i dont know anything about ventillators. As you say these developments might help other people too.

Is the technology being worked on now or do you need to raise the cash first?

Jules

[thewisestfish]

Hiya,

Ah, now I understand. Good for you, hope it is a huge success. I worked as a carer on and off when I was at uni, and worked with a guy who was paraplegic for a while (bit different I know) but anyway, he loved the water - so we were a great pair. I used to go swimming with him to the local pool, and in the water he was much more mobile. Never did the diving thing, mind, I wasn't diving then either. If I was in your position, I'd be wanting to do the same - sounds like you've got some good 'can do' people around you. Good luck - I hope you get there. If I was in Minesotta, I'd be asking if I could come and dunk you in there too.

Faith in water - it's where some of us belong. x

[D.D.J]

best of luck, i ll have my fingers crossed for you and hoping taht your dreams will come true