On January 5th, 2016... I suffered a non-traumatic brain and spinal cord injury through an incurable brain malformation called Arnold- Chiari malformation and syringomyelia. After this brain surgery, at 23 years old I found myself a quadriplegic relearning how to walk again and use my hands. While going through intensive rehab I lost most of my weight dropping from about 125 to 100 pounds. One month later, I heard God tell me that it was time to walk again. Ever since that day my life completely changed and my outlook on life became a mission of hope to help those who are struggling. 

Today, I self-published my memoir Faith over Fear of the experiences I went through and a viewpoint of what it's like to go from living a life on top of the mountain. Then completely losing everything in a blink of an eye! I work at Walmart as a cashier and love working with people and showing them my smile. My photography business is not thriving as it did before my surgery but I still run it! I am working towards publishing my 2nd book and writing my third book. 

I hope you find inspiration in my story and remember to never give up!

Follow me on https://www.instagram.com/matthew.t.lemke/?hl=en

1 in 3 people will have an Acquired Brain Injury at some point in their lives - we want to help give people the best possible chance of recovery.SameYou works to increase access to recovery for young adults after leaving the hospital and to facilitate innovations in specialist nurse training, fund clinical research, and develop evidence for policy change. Our long-term vision is to work with neurorehabilitation leaders to develop a blueprint for a new type of neuro-recovery center helping people find their way to recovery.