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Nicole Matthews
January 7, 2010
At 22 months old Nicole Matthews was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. Her mother, Connie Matthews, a nurse, knew that cystic fibrosis was a devastating disease and at the time only had a life expectancy of 18 years of age. Nicole, now 21 years old, has far surpassed the expectations when she was diagnosed.
Nicole remembers her mother patting her on the back prior to the vest being invented. She remembers her father, Ernie, splitting open her enzymes and combining them into a variety of sauces while preparing their meals. Nicole remembers that he tried just about anything until she could swallow them.
Ernie’s creative enzyme combinations ended when Nicole was the young age of three. Nicole visited Aunt Karen and Uncle Dale while her mother was delivering her sister, Katie. Aunt Karen taught her how to “Act like a big girl” and swallow her pills. From then on she always “acted like a big girl” with the daily obstacles that laid ahead.
Nicole truly embraces living every moment to the fullest and knows “everyday is a blessing.” With a smile on her face and an outgoing personality, Nicole enjoys giving back and loves volunteering. From participating in a drug study for the care center to saving a life while volunteering as an EMT, “I know how much people give me, so I want to give back to the world.”
For the past 11 years, Nicole has volunteered with handicapped children and adults through organizations such as SABAH (Skating Athletes Bold at Heart) and Gliding Stars. She also volunteers with the Hillcrest Volunteer Fire Company as an EMT and exterior firemen. Nicole has been active with the Hillcrest Volunteer Fire Company since she was young, but officially has been a volunteer EMT for 4 years. She thrives off the excitement and new knowledge throughout the fire hall. Whether it’s a simple code or delivering a baby, Nicole treasures it all. Nicole welcomes her time with her boyfriend, Christopher, who is also a volunteer at the fire company, enjoying their drill nights and deeming them “Date Nights.”
Nicole and her large family have been an important part in the Western New York Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Year after year, Nicky’s knights lace up their tennis shoes while raising money to walk for GREAT STRIDES.
The Matthews family began the development of the East Aurora GREAT STRIDES walk, which has since been moved to Orchard Park. Nicole’s father Ernie is the Chairman of the Orchard Park walk site. Nicole and her family keep a close relationship with the entire Foundation and supporters. Nicole states “My family has done so much with the Foundation and I know without their help we wouldn’t be where we are now.”
This February, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Western New York is honoring Nicole Matthews at the 2010 Breath of Life Gala “An Evening on Broadway” with the Katie’s Courage award. This honor is given to one individual each year that has cystic fibrosis, is active in the CF community, inspires others, and shares their zest for life.
“This is my life, and I live every moment of it to its very fullest. I am so blessed.” –Nicole Matthews
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