July 31, 2003

Matt Brown

In the 1970s, Matthew Clelon Brown was a Muscular Dystrophy Association poster child. The picture of the brown-haired, wheelchair-bound boy getting hugged by comedian Jerry Lewis helped put a human face on the disease.

Brown was born with spinal muscular atrophy, a condition that leads to severe muscular weakness and respiratory failure. Doctors predicted he wouldn't live past childhood.

Knowing his time was so limited, Brown got involved with the MDA. From 1977-1978, he served as the group's national goodwill ambassador, traveling all over the U.S. and making appearances on several Labor Day telethons. He was featured on "60 Minutes" and "Good Morning America," and visited with President Jimmy Carter.

Although he suffered from repeated bouts of illness, Brown graduated from high school, married, volunteered with the MDA and became a telemarketer in Eastanollee, Ga. He sold water purification systems and magazines using a special pair of headphones because he couldn't lift up a telephone. He also published his autobiography, "Crying in the Night," in 1995.

"I want to change the illusion that the disabled are invalid and incapable of leading happy, normal lives without discrimination," Brown once said.

Brown died on July 18 of complications from pneumonia and spinal muscular atrophy. He was 35.

Posted on July 31, 2003 12:02 PM

Tributes

I was married to Matthew. We married in 1990 at Northside baptist church in Roswell Ga.
Each and every day I miss him. Matthew was a true inspration to everyone.

Ginger

Posted by Ginger Brown on February 18, 2004 1:20 PM

YOU COULD NOT FIND A BRAVER SOLDIER TO FIGHT SUCH A DISEASE THEN MATT. WE WENT TO DISNEY WORLD TOGETHER ALONG WITH BUDDIES:TONY,DAVE AND A YOUNG BOY FROM SOUTH GEORGIA NAMED JASON. WE GAVE THEM THE WORLD FOR THREE GLORIOUS DAYS, THAT I'LL NEVER FORGET. MATT HUMBLED ME. WE TALKED OFTEN OF THE BEAST OF THE DISEASE AND WHERE IT MAY LEAD HIM. TO KNOW MATT BROWN WAS AN HONOR. TERRY BORDELON

Posted by TERRY BORDELON on August 11, 2004 11:15 AM

Hi my name is also Matt Brown I'm 19 and I have SMA too. I knew matt all my life and we were on the MDA telethon together in like 92 or 93 that's when Matt introduced me to Ginger his wife.
If anyone would like to contact me my e-mail address is thedjman21@yahoo.com. Thanks Matt for being a friend.
Goodbye Matt

Posted by Matthew Brown on October 12, 2004 12:31 PM

Matt was the best friend I ever had. He was the one person in the world I could tell anything to and know I would never be judged. He never let being handicapped rule him, he ruled it. He was an inspiration to me everyday of my life and stories of him to my diabetic daughter inspire her to rule her diabetes intead of letting it rule her. Even when he was suffering, he'd always put on a happy face and make those around him laugh.

A silly argument over some things that weren't true ended our 12 year friendship and I missed Matt every single day and thought of all the trouble he must be getting into, the new people in his life that he would bring such joy to (he was always meeting new people and making a difference in other's lives) and what new adventures he was embarking on.

It's funny how one person's lies can destroy such a wonderful relationship and how years later the effects are still devastating. I was going through a nasty divorce back then and my ex husband wanted to make sure I had no one, he even stole my children and it took five years to get them back... No one knew how to reach me when Matt passed, so I just found out today, three long years later. I am so crushed by this news, all I can think of was whether Matt forgave me or not, because he has always been one of the top five most important people in my life.

Matt, wherever you are out there - I'm glad you aren't suffering anymore. I love you Matt and always have. Rest in peace buddy, you of all people deserve peace.

Posted by Heather "Ayesha" Karim on October 1, 2006 7:29 PM

Matt brown was my godfather, My mother, sister, and I miss him very much. My mother went to high school with Matt and they were quick friends then later he worked for my mother at the telemarketing place I would often go to work with my mother and hang out with matt. He came to live with us for a while and it was gods gift to us to have him there. After a while he moved out and then a couple of weeks later he died. I miss him very much and I am so happy that he is with god like he always wanted to be and he can now watch over and guide me.

Posted by Cassandra Anderson on December 8, 2006 5:38 AM
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