EVEN from his hospital bed Brisbane’s Matthew O’Meara named prayer as the source of his strength to continue the fight for life.
His twin sister Maureen Ferrington said Matthew had been driving cabs “for a few years”, and she spoke of the incident that claimed almost all of Matthew’s functioning.
“In the early hours of Pentecost Sunday (May 23) Matthew was not feeling well so he drove home to Nundah from work,” she said.
“He called an ambulance himself (and) said he thought he was having a stroke.
“They noted that his speech became slurred and he became unresponsive.”
Arriving six minutes after the call, paramedics gained access to Matthew’s flat and he was then stabilised and taken to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.
“There it was discovered that Matthew had suffered a devastating stroke to his brain stem,” his dedicated sister said.
Matthew was left in a state of “Locked in Syndrome” – meaning “he was awake and aware but unable to move or speak”.
Devastatingly, while in the intensive care unit, the 38-year-old was told “he would not recover”.
Still, Matthew indicated to hospital staff he “wanted to continue with treatment” and did so by vertical eye movement.
“(Eyes) up for yes, down for no,” Maureen explained.
“He made it very clear he wanted to continue with life.”
Matthew is the seventh child of Gerald and Margaret O’Meara, the family originating from Bangalow in northern New South Wales. The O’Meara’s brought up their children on the same property Gerald was raised on and it remains in the family.
The children attended local Catholic schools – St Kevin’s, Bangalow, and, after that school closed, St Finbarr’s, Byron Bay, as well as St Mary’s, Lismore, and with the Marist Brothers in Lismore.
Matthew and Maureen were in Year 7 when the local schools merged into what is now known as Trinity Catholic College.
Their parents always modelled active faith in the home and the parish.
“Mum was a member of the parish council a few years ago and has for many years been a volunteer of the St Vincent De Paul Society,” Maureen said.
“(And) it was Dad’s grandmother Margaret O’Meara (nee Buckley) who guaranteed the loan for the building of the current St Kevin’s Church.
“My grandfather Frank O’Meara often had the job of driving the Lismore bishop around the area as his family was one of the first local families to own a car.
“(The) O’Meara’s have had a long association with the Catholic Church in Bangalow.”
Matthew too was active in the local church, as an altar server and later as part of the social justice committee.
Since his hospitalisation the family have all come to the fore, Maureen speaking particularly about her sisters and parents.
“While Matthew has been in hospital it has been amazing to witness what the family is willing to do,” she said.
“Aileen goes in to visit Matt of a morning, starts work at 2pm and finishes at 11pm and does the same the next day.
“I cover the afternoon shifts while juggling four children and family life, and Helen works 8am to 4.30pm and then spends her evenings with Matthew.
“Mum and Dad now spend most of their time in Brisbane just to be at Matt’s bedside every day.
“With Dad aged 81 that’s quite an effort – but who wouldn’t do that for their child or sibling?”
The twins’ other siblings “come sporadically when they are able to help”.
All the while Matthew is making astounding progress, thanks to the support of family and the presence of prayer.
“Initially the stroke left Matthew with only vertical eye movement,” Maureen said.
“The gains that Matthew has made so far (include) partial facial expression, full eye movement, the ability to raise his eyebrows, slight movement in both his hands, and head control is coming back.
“He can move his head sideways and he has had movement in both feet although this is not yet consistent.
“His vocal cords were found to be working.”
On the Feast of All Saints’, November 1, the family said Matthew’s “trachea tube was removed even though he was told months ago this could be with him for life”.
“Matthew (now) breathes on his own and a few days ago he had his first taste of a ‘slushy’-like mixture – he coped with 12 teaspoons,” Maureen said.
Hospital chaplain Fr James O’Donoghue and Jesuit Father Gregory Jordan have visited Matthew while friends and other family members have provided invaluable support, which also encourages Matthew forward.
The close-knit family offered a 54-day Rosary novena, describing it as the backdrop for all of Matthew’s gains.
They are also aware eldest sister Kathy, who is based in Tweed Heads, NSW, “lived through” a similar experience after a car accident and the family invoking the help of (the then) Blessed Mary MacKillop.
Awaiting a decision about rehabilitation and needing to raise about $80,000 for Matthew’s on-going care upon discharge, the O’Meara’s are doing what they always have.
“We are still praying,” Maureen said.
The O’Meara’s have set up “Matthew’s Foundation” to assist with raising funds.
To help them contact Maureen via email on madgrae@optusnet.com.au
