With very heavy hearts, we announce that on Tuesday, September 2nd, the Invisible Disabilities Association lost a dear friend and the world lost a great warrior, Matt Barrett. Matt battled cancer from the age of two. He had over 1,700 hundred surgeries which left him heavily scarred. Matt lived many years homeless and was faced with a lifetime of suffering and discrimination due to his facial disfigurements. Through it all, Matt remained a kind and giving person. He was known by his friends as the “Gentle Giant,” because he had such a heart for people. He was the kind of person who would get a gift and either share it with friends or to take it down to Tent City where he lived for several years. According to Matt’s medical tests and records, he should have left this earth decades ago. Nonetheless, because of his incredible determination and perseverance, many lives have been changed by his story, advocacy and giving life. Matt was truly an inspiration when he spoke and signed books at our Award Galas. He impacted so many lives and met many amazing friends who believed in him and stuck by him to the end. Matt’s story and life will live on through his blog, book, the articles we have published on our website and the video we have of him speaking. Matt asked that people donate in his memory to the Invisible Disabilities Association, Greater Seattle Cares or The Watershed Center. Invisible Disabilities Association In Memory and Donation Page: InvisibleDisabilities.org/InMemory Matts Blog and Book, A View from the Street: AViewfromtheStreet A Lifelong Journey (Matt speaking at the 2011 IDA Awards Gala): invisibledisabilities.org/ida-getting-the-word-out-about-invisible-disabilities/matt-barrett/
Posted on: Thu, 04 Sep 2014 20:42:43 +0000
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