What many people don't realize is that a spinal cord injury doesn't end when someone leaves the hospital—it marks the beginning of a lifelong journey. While the initial recovery may fade from public view, the financial, physical, and emotional challenges remain. Ongoing medical care, wheelchair maintenance and replacement, accessible transportation, home modifications, therapy, adaptive equipment, and everyday living expenses become permanent realities that require continuous support.
Your donation helps ensure these athletes are never left to face those challenges alone. By giving today, you're providing critical resources that restore independence, improve quality of life, and offer hope long after the headlines have faded. Every gift—large or small—makes a lasting difference.
On June 23, 2024, X Games gold medalist and freestyle motocross rider Matt Buyten was seriously injured during a qualifying event for Loretta Lynn’s National and was transported to a local hospital where he learned he wouldn't walk again.
As Matt Buyten approaches the two-year anniversary of the life-changing crash at Thunder Valley on June 23, he continues to prove what resilience, determination, and heart truly look like.
Over the past two years, Matt has faced challenges that most people can’t imagine. After sustaining a spinal cord injury that resulted in paralysis, he has been forced to dig deeper than ever before—learning new ways to live, adapt, and overcome. Through it all, Matt has kept his head high and refused to quit.
In Matt’s own words, “I was never good at giving up, so why start now?”
One of the brightest parts of Matt’s journey has been watching his son, Jett, grow. Now 4½ years old, Jett is thriving, and Matt couldn’t be prouder. That pride, along with the support of family, friends, and the motocross community, continues to fuel his determination every day.
Matt also wanted to extend his gratitude to everyone who has stood beside him throughout this journey, especially the team at Road 2 Recovery. While he still finds ways to have fun—occasionally catching a little air in his wheelchair and keeping his wheelchair mechanic on edge—his positive attitude continues to inspire everyone around him.
What many people don’t see is that spinal cord injuries don’t simply go away. The hospital stay may end, but the challenges continue for a lifetime. Medical expenses, equipment repairs and replacements, transportation, accessibility needs, therapies, and everyday living costs become a permanent part of life.
Until Matt can get his feet back on the ground, every donation made in his name helps ease that burden. Your support helps keep athletes like Matt moving forward, paying bills, maintaining their independence, and focusing on what matters most—living life to the fullest despite unimaginable obstacles.
From all of us at Road 2 Recovery, thank you for continuing to support Matt and the many injured athletes who face these challenges every single day. Your generosity truly makes a difference.