When Matt started physical therapy, all he wanted to do was take a few steps out of his wheelchair. Now, he is no longer wheelchair dependent.

When 23-year-old Matt Whalen of Braceville, IL, started his care at ATI Physical Therapy in Joliet, IL in 2012, all he wanted to do was take a few steps out of his wheelchair.

“I really wanted to walk,” said Matt. “I haven’t been able to since 2006.”

What happened during treatment was something more than walking; it was something no one at the clinic ever expected.

Matt, who suffers from spina bifida, has been bound to a wheelchair. His dreams of walking were all but crushed when he underwent a double amputation below his knees.  Matt received prosthetics but was unable to use them. His mother, who was his sole caregiver, was battling cancer and could not take him to therapy. Sadly, Matt’s mom passed away in January 2012.

Matt’s aunt, who took over as caregiver, knew Matt would be able to walk with the right care. That’s when she found ATI Physical Therapy.

“I listened to Matt’s situation, and knew we could help him,” said Tony, PT, Joliet clinic director. “As difficult as Matt’s case seemed, I was confident our staff would make a difference in his life.”

Two months into treatment, Matt had made tremendous progress.

No longer completely dependent on his wheelchair, Matt was able to use a walker.

“The staff at ATI has given me the courage and strength to walk,” said Matt. “I love coming to ATI.  They have become like family to me. Bryan, my therapist, gets me up and moving and I look forward to each visit. It’s always a good day at ATI.”

But, Matt’s story doesn’t end here. With his dreams of walking realized, he could have never envisioned what would happen next.

On one particular therapy visit, Matt mentioned during a casual conversation with ATI’s Jerry that he needed to get the wheel on his wheelchair fixed — or better yet, hopefully, get a new one. Matt said he couldn’t afford to do so because he was not going to do anything for himself until he could buy a headstone for his mother’s grave.

“Jerry told me about the conversation and asked me if there was anything we could do,” said Tony. “So the next day, I shared Matt’s story at our staff meeting, and as a group, we decided to start a change war and compete to see who could collect the most loose change to donate for a new wheelchair.”

The series of events that happened next amazed the staff at Joliet.

An ATI patient overheard Matt’s story and immediately donated $400. The following day, the same patient came back and donated an additional $800 towards the chair.

At the same time, Jerry contacted two local companies who agreed to join the fundraising efforts. The first company, which sells wheelchairs, agreed to reduce the price. The second donated $500 towards Matt’s chair and offered to assist with employment for Matt.

All of these dedicated funds, combined with personal donations from clinic staff, other patients, and the proceeds from the “Change Wars,” allowed the staff at ATI to purchase a new wheelchair for Matt, plus give him extra for his mother’s headstone and funeral expenses.

Matt was speechless and trembling when he received the gifts from his fellow patients and friends at ATI.

“This means a lot to me,” Matt said. “I don’t know what to say. I always wanted my mom to see me walk again, and I know she’s looking down on me smiling.”

Tony was amazed by the entire experience and expressed how honored he was to be part of Matt’s story.

“It’s moving to see patients, staff and community come together to help someone,” Tony said. “At ATI we strive to make a positive difference in the lives of our patients and our community and that’s what we did with Matt!”