By Simone Blais - Staff Reporter for The Now
If someone were to compare Matthew Drake to a book, they might judge him by his
cover.
They might initially pass on the book as, from the outside, it's a lot smaller
than the rest on the shelf, and the design is one they may never have seen
before. Some would stare at the book, in disbelief. Others might even laugh.
It's unfortunate most people don't pick up this book and give it a read: The
story of Matthew Drake is one of a young man who, despite all sorts of
challenges and social stereotypes, has plenty of living to do.
Matthew, who stands three foot ten inches tall, has a form of dwarfism that
stunted his growth and causes him pain throughout the day. Because of his bow
legs and the angle of his back and hips, he can't walk long distances. Standing
for long periods also causes him a considerable amount of pain.
Yet, he remains active. He's an avid skateboarder, snowboarder, skier and biker.
Matthew enjoys all sorts of outdoor activities, and despite a dislocated right
arm that has stunted limb growth, his hand-eye co-ordination is acutely
developed with the help of computers and video games.
While he hasn't let his stature limit his abilities, he certainly would like to
augment them.
Matthew admits he'd really like to have a job, buy a nice car and hone his
skateboarding skills - things he would need a few more inches to do. He would
also like to correct some of the pain he endures on a daily basis.
That's why he's decided to go through with a new surgery, which some believe
controversial: limb-lengthening surgery that would not only add a foot to his
height, but automatically correct the dislocation in his arm and compression of
his spinal cord.
"I'm getting it done for lots of reasons, but mostly because of what they can
fix and correct," Matthew said in his kitchen, after school last week. "It can
fix my back, my arm, my hips, I'll be able to walk long distances. I mean, being
taller is nice, but I'm mostly doing this because it'll correct so many things."
Undergoing limb-lengthening surgery is not a decision to be taken lightly. The
process includes breaking the bones and stretching them with fixators attached
to the patient's limbs with wires and pins. The fixators effectively pull the
bones apart just as they're about to heal; a stretching that's slow enough to
allow the bone and soft-skin tissue to regenerate.
After the surgery process is completed, the patient has to undergo five to six
months of physiotherapy - learning to move and walk all over again.
Pam Drake, Matthew's mother, always told him he would be the one to decide on
the surgery.
For years, Matthew said he felt fine the way he was and that surgery wasn't
necessary. But about a year ago, he had a change of heart.
"It was funny, because Matthew started telling his friends at school that he was
going to have the surgery, and it got to his counsellor who called me for
information," Pam said. "He told all his friends and his counsellor before me."
While Matthew takes it all in stride, Pam explains there are difficulties
inherent with being three foot ten inches: It's difficult to find a job or drive
a car.
"He may kill me for saying this, but girls are becoming an issue now too," Pam
said, looking over at her son hiding his crimson cheeks with his hands. "It's
really difficult to get someone to open their eyes."
Pam and Matthew will spend nearly six months in Baltimore, MD., the closest
location where the surgery is available, and Matthew is preparing to finish his
classes online.
Matthew said the people around him are supportive, once they understand the
benefits to the surgery.
"I tell my friends about it, and most of them don't want me to get it done
because they don't know what it's about. But then I explain it to them, they get
it," he said.
"You have to walk a mile in his shoes to understand what he goes through," Pam
said. "He could live as he is, but isn't this world about having a better
quality of life?"
The major task before the Drake family is paying for the $142,000 US to cover
accommodations, medications, travel and living expenses for the six months they
will spend in Baltimore during Matthew's physiotherapy. Pam said she
wholeheartedly supports Matthew's decision and has been fundraising since last
fall to cover costs.
"We've been organizing this thing since the beginning of November," she said,
adding the surgery is set for March 18. "The first two months were a big uphill
battle. But even if he changes his mind at the last minute, that's fine. We'll
just donate the money we've raised to a local charity."
The government also has to decide whether it will cover the additional surgery
costs, estimated at $250,000 to $350,000.
"We're going to go regardless," Pam said, adding she believes MSP should cover
the expense. "I don't think anybody we've spoken to believes this is a cosmetic
surgery. If MSP comes back and says no, they're not going to cover it, I'm going
to be saying it's discriminatory. Certainly, I'm going to complain and cause a
helluva stink. I've got to do what I can, what parent wouldn't?"
How you can help:
Several fundraisers are planned in the coming weeks to help Pam and Matthew
Drake afford living costs in Baltimore for six months while Matthew is in
physiotherapy.
Call Pam at (604) 941-8927 or (604) 329-5592 for information or tickets.
Donations can also be mailed to the Matthew Drake Fund, P.O. Box 78089, Port
Coquitlam, B.C., V3B 7H5.
Here's a list of upcoming events:
€ Saturday, Jan. 25: A pub night at the Cat & Fiddle Neighbourhood Pub, 1979
Brown St. in Port Coquitlam, begins at 5 p.m. Tickets are $10, and include a
burger and a beverage. Children are welcome to attend, as there is a separate
restaurant area for minors. Tickets can also be purchased through Terry Fox
Secondary, (604) 941-5401.
€ Feb. 12 and 19: Little Caesars Pizza in Port Coquitlam is offering a special
price. Patrons can buy a large pizza, two litres of pop and crazy bread for $20,
with $5 going toward Matt's surgery.
€ The Arms Pub in Port Coquitlam will be donating proceeds from the two weeks of
their annual fundraising events to the Matthew Drake Fund. The pub has 50/50
draws, meat sales, a contest to be the King of Super Bowl day and a silent
auction. For more information, call Arline at the Arms Pub, (604) 941-4711.
€ The Drakes are holding a clothing drive in the north side of Port Coquitlam in
February. Check your mailbox for flyers. Call Pam Drake for more information.
€ Friday, Feb. 21: A second pub night at the Cat & Fiddle Neighbourhood Pub,
1979 Brown St. in Port Coquitlam, begins at 5 p.m. Tickets are $10, and include
a burger and a beverage. Call Pam for tickets at (604) 329-5592. Tickets can
also be purchased through Terry Fox Secondary, (604) 941-5401.
€ The Drakes have an account set up with Changes Recycle Centres in
Save-On-Foods stores in Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam and west Maple Ridge. Drop off
pop bottles and other recyclables to any of those locations and ask staff to
credit the Matthew Drake Fund account. Or drop beer, wine, spirit bottles and
other recyclables at Biggar Bottle Depot at 2577 Kingsway Ave., Port Coquitlam,
and again, mention the Matthew Drake Fund.