BIRTHDAY TODAY. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR MATTHEW. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU FOR 18 YEAR OLD MATTHEW WALKER. THIS ISN’T JUST ANY BIRTHDAY. IT’S A MIRACLE I HAVE. A HIGH CANCER FOUR TIMES I HAD A STROKE MATTHEW SEVERE STROKE HAPPENED A FEW DAYS AFTER WE DID THIS STORY WITH HIS DAD DION IN FEBRUARY. APPARENTLY IT IT COULD KILL ME. BUT IT DIDN’T THE STROKES SPLIT OFF INTO HIS BRAIN AFFECTING THE RIGHT SIDE OF HIS BODY. HE WAS UNRESPONSIVE FOR THREE DAYS THOUGHT HE DIED AND THEN HE WAS JUST LISTENED TO US TALK ABOUT DOCTORS TOLD MATTHEW. HE PROBABLY WOULDN’T TALK OR WALK AGAIN TODAY. HE’S DEFYING THOSE ODDS HE CAN WALK BUT HE USES THIS WHEELCHAIR FOR LONGER DISTANCES NOW THAT HE’S 18 MATTHEW IS AWARE HIS ACCESS TO THE WORLD HAS OPENED UP AND HE SAYS HE HAS A LOT OF UP TO DO. IN WIN LOTTERY I CAN GO GET A TATTOO OR PIERCING AND I FEEL LIKE IT. I CAN. I CAN SKYDIVE AS DIFFICULT OF A BATTLE AS IT’S BEEN MATTHEW HOPES HIS STORY ENCOURAGES OTHERS FIGHTING A SIMILAR BATTLE TO NOT GIVE UP MAKES ME FEEL GOOD AND KNOWING THAT. OTHER PEOPLE CAN LEA FROM MY EXPERIENCE AND JUST BRINGS PEOPLE HOPE WELL FOR HIS BIRTHDAY MATTHEW PLAN TO GET FRIED CHICKEN AND OREO CAKE AND HEAD TO A SHOOT
'It makes me feel good': Four-time cancer and stroke survivor celebrates milestone birthday
![WLWT logo]()
Updated: 6:21 AM PDT Apr 29, 2021
For Matthew Walker, 18, this year's birthday isn't just any birthday, it's a miracle. "I have had cancer four times. I had a stroke," Matthew said.Walker's severe stroke happened in February. "Apparently it could've killed me, but it didn't," he said.The stroke split off into his brain, affecting the right side of his body. He was unresponsive for three days. "He thought he had died and he was just listening to us talk about him," Dion Walker Sr., Matthew's dad, said.Doctors told Matthew he probably wouldn't talk or walk again. Now, he's defying those odds. He can walk but uses his wheelchair for longer distances. Now that Matthew is 18, he is aware his access to the world has opened up, and he says he has a lot of catching up to do."I can win the lottery. I can go get a tattoo or a piercing when I feel like it. I can skydive," Matthew said.As difficult of a battle as it's been, he hopes his story encourages others fighting a similar battle not to give up."It makes me feel good, and knowing that other people can learn from my experience, and just brings people hope and stuff."
For Matthew Walker, 18, this year's birthday isn't just any birthday, it's a miracle.
"I have had cancer four times. I had a stroke," Matthew said.
Walker's severe stroke happened in February.
"Apparently it could've killed me, but it didn't," he said.
The stroke split off into his brain, affecting the right side of his body. He was unresponsive for three days.
"He thought he had died and he was just listening to us talk about him," Dion Walker Sr., Matthew's dad, said.
Doctors told Matthew he probably wouldn't talk or walk again.
Now, he's defying those odds. He can walk but uses his wheelchair for longer distances.
Now that Matthew is 18, he is aware his access to the world has opened up, and he says he has a lot of catching up to do.
"I can win the lottery. I can go get a tattoo or a piercing when I feel like it. I can skydive," Matthew said.
As difficult of a battle as it's been, he hopes his story encourages others fighting a similar battle not to give up.
"It makes me feel good, and knowing that other people can learn from my experience, and just brings people hope and stuff."
