Man Paralyzed In Diving Accident Finds Hope In Art — But Needs Help

HAMPTON BAYS, NY — Matt Raynor of Hampton Bays, was paralyzed and left a quadriplegic after a diving accident in Southampton in 2019 when he was just 29 years old — and while he has endured many unthinkable challenges, he's also made remarkable strides.

Now, four years since the day that changed his life forever, Raynor is reaching out for help to continue his journey forward from the depths of deep despair toward a horizon imbued with hope.

Financial challenges still daunt, he said.

“We live in a culture that is extraordinarily giving and generous to those in need. I can attest to that firsthand, as most of the biggest and meaningful changes to my life have come from the community. And at times, totally random — out in left field. It is extremely uplifting,” he said.

Raynor said it's not in his nature to ask for help and financial assistance. “I would love to work for it. Unfortunately, it's a little more complicated than just wanting to work, especially if you are really disabled and have aspirations of entrepreneurship.”

Indeed, Raynor has done what many might deem impossible, establishing a career as an artist despite enormous physical challenges.His show, “Matthew Raynor Photography,” is on exhibit at the Southampton Cultural Center through May 21. He will host showings on Saturday and Sunday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.; he is also open by appointment.

Frustrated with the red tape involved with trying to procure government assistance, Raynor said there is a bright spot in humanity that restores his soul.

“The human element of empathy and kindness around me have always rallied and provided what I needed,” he said.

His needs have been, and continue to be, critical, he said. But through the open hearts and kindness of the community, one by one, the mountains have been scaled.

For example, “I needed a mini split for my room,” he said. “It doesn't seem like it would be a big deal, but with my nerve pain every time I take a shower, I have extreme pain especially in the winter. And I asked for help and I got it, and that goes for a lot of extremely important things.”

Raynor said he has been blessed with transportation, and renovation of his bedroom and bathroom.

“Numerous times I’ve done things I didn’t think possible,” Raynor said. “One of the most generous things came in the form of a stand-up wheelchair. It’s allowed me to do much more, as well as improve my overall health. It was an extremely generous gift from a stranger.”

With that in mind, Raynor is reaching out for help me out again, in the stark shadow of need.

“It's been a long winter here,” he said. “As a disabled person, finding and maintaining proper care can be an ongoing challenge.”

While some items are covered by insurance, many of the most important things are not, he said.

“It adds up daily,” he said. “Coupled with the difficulty of establishing meaningful obtainable goals and accomplishing them, it can be hard to find hope in the midst of such struggles. But hope is vital. Without it, life can feel meaningless,” he said.

And despite all he's endured, his thirst to live a rich and meaningful life propels him forward.

“I am too stubborn to give up on my dreams of continuing to see the world as I had before and become fluent in another language while living abroad,” he said.

To that end, Raynor hopes his message will encourage individuals to support his art and candle-making pursuits.

“For the past four years, I have been living with a spinal cord injury, and the challenges have not lessened,” he said.

Raynor explained that he is in and out of the hospital often, and the financial burden of medical expenses and daily living costs can feel overwhelming.

“I still need your help,” he said. “Very often, my life seems like Groundhog Day. I love that movie— but I'm living it, just the spinal cord injury version.”

The past winter was particularly difficult as he had a recurring MRSA infection, he said, one that led to numerous hospitalizations; he was close to sepsis at one point, he said.

He also battled cellulitis and at one point, a “massive hole” developed in his arm, he said.

“I was a little scared,” Raynor said. “I didn't want to lose my hand. It's hard to tell whether I'm just experiencing nerve pain or sick — as the nerve pain often resembles burning or freezing.”

Raynor said in the darkness of his illness he considered himself blessed to have two caretakers who genuinely showed empathy — but one of those caretakers is set to move away.

“It's going to make putting me in bed difficult, as it's an hour away,” he said. “I can't get in bed on my own. If I could, it would make my life so much easier. That and driving — I have a van , but I don't have a special license to drive it or the modifications, which are very expensive,” Raynor said. “Especially because I have no core muscles. I just flop over. So it would require installing a joystick to steer which is expensive,” he said. “Not being able to drive on the East End really takes a toll on your relationships with friends.”

The COVID lockdown further exacerbated his loneliness, he said. “I feel like I was in lockdown before lockdown even happened,” he said.

Other expenses loom: His van needs repairs; the alternator and tires need to be replaced. The ramp is broken again along with the door; the ABS system is signaling malfunction. And the navigation system, which has never worked still doesn't work, he said.

His vehicle is a 2015 Sienna, which cost almost $60,000 with necessary modifications; he purchased the vehicle when he was first injured after a robust community fundraiser.

In addition, he'd like to have a “rainy day fund” in case one of the caretakers decides to leave and he needs to seek help.

“I'm not big on asking for help financially, but this is necessary,” Raynor said. “Not knowing who is going to get you dressed and up in the morning is one of the most stressful feelings I've ever experienced.”

He's in need of funding, Raynor said, because while his health insurance will pay for the caretaker of his choosing, it takes time to get the person approved. “And in those six weeks I won't have anyone to help me— and by help, I mean with everything, from showering to dressing to you, name it.”

Raynor is grateful for so much: “I have made quite a bit of progress, despite my physical limitations,” he said.

He has his photography and candle businesses and eventually, would like to see those evolve into full-time jobs. “But as of now it's really just refined to the summer fine art festivals. Thank God for them, though as they serve, not only as financial support, but also as a means of socializing. I'm also having a fundraiser because my four-year anniversary of my injury is coming up and not to sound too glib — but it's a very depressing day so refilling my rainy day fund would be a great gift and anxiety reliever.”

Always, Raynor holds tightly to hope, keeping the flame of promise alive even in the most dire situations. “Hope is the foundation on which your survival stands.”

He hopes that one day he will be able to travel again — it's something that he loved doing. It will take much more planning, and, be more expensive but it's possible if he finds the right people to help, as well as the financial means, he said.

“By donating to my fundraiser, you can provide me with the means to maintain a decent quality of living and work toward my goals,” he said. “Most importantly, your donation will give me the hope I need to continue fighting and living a fulfilling life.”

Speaking to Patch in past months, Raynor opened up about his life before and after the accident and explained how finding photography in his new life, framed by unthinkable circumstances, saved him.

Before his accident, Raynor lived for his life as a commercial fisherman on the water. “The water has always served as my holy place. A place of peace and solitude, far from the anxieties of life. Regardless of how rigorous the work could get, life as a waterman was an unabated source of calm for me,” he said.

The work was extremely strenuous, mentally and physically. On one trip he worked for 36 hours straight, he said. When he turned 27, Raynor said life slowed down a bit.

He would often dive at Towd Point in North Sea, Southampton. And then came the day that changed everything.

“One morning I did several dives and on the last one, I smacked my head. The next thing I know I am staring through the frigid, emerald-blue, water completely paralyzed. Time slowed; I felt as if I was in a waiting room,” Raynor said.

His whole life presented itself, from start to finish, in its entirety, he remembered.

Next, Raynor said he woke up staring at his close friend Jerome Lucanis' face on the beach. Lucanis had swum out and pulled him to shore.

“He told me my eyes were wide open; I was motionless and my lips were blue. He had to do CPR. So much for my clock hitting zero. Back from the dead.”

After his “extraordinary spiritual experience on that beach,” Raynor spent three months in the hospital.

“Unfortunately, I never recovered much,” he said. “I couldn't move or feel 85 percent of my body. If we all have our own personal hell — I've lived mine,” Raynor said.

His injuries resulted in the paralysis of his upper chest through his lower extremities; he now has limited control of his arms and hands.

Raynor's story is one of courage, perseverance — and an abiding belief that out of the most unthinkable circumstances, hope and beauty can be born.

He's also found meaning in his experience — joy in creating work that uplifts, as a disabled artist, and shares his inspirational story in an online vlog.

“I slowly crawled out from my own personal hell. My concerns shifted more from just surviving to what can I do with my life?”

For additional information on Raynor's photography, to learn more about his journey, or to make a donation to help, click here.