The Matthew Wright Gala fundraiser is July 10, 2010, in San Antonio, Texas

Tomorrow is a very special day in the life of a dear friend of the family.  Jay Wright (center) was the Best Man in Mike and my wedding back in 1982 in my hometown of Eugene, OR.  His beautiful children are about the same age as ours.
Last June what started out as a fun-filled float trip ended with Jay's only son Matthew (right) being attacked by another young man and Matthew, then a 22-year old college quarterback, sustained a serious brain stem injury that has left him paralyzed and unable to care for himself.
When I visited Matt a few months ago in Austin, Texas at the neuro Rehab Hospital I could see the same sparkle in his eyes I saw when he was an adorable young boy.  But now he cannot speak, and my heart is broken for both him, robbed of his future, and his family who now have spent the last year at his side who find themselves faced with the insurance company informing them Matthew will be moved from the rehab center to a nursing home facility.
Tomorrow night is the Matthew Wright Gala (http://www.matthewwrightgala.com/) at the historic Menger Hotel Ballroom in San Antonio.  Hundreds of people will be attending the fund raiser and participating in a silent auction including generous packages donationed from friends of Matthew's stepfather Texas Longhorn/Eagle/and coach Bill Bradley and Matthew's mom Susan.  In addition, Matt's uncle Michael Wright who is the EVP, Head of Programming, TBS, TNT and Turner Classic Movies (TCM) has acquired packages from high profile Hollywood personalities like Stephen Spielberg.
Thank you to all who donate, support, and pray for this beautiful young man.  This is a sobering reminder to take nothing for granted, to live each day to the fullest, and to walk in the spirit of thanksgiving - each and every day. To Matthew, Jay, and Susan, we love you and keep you in our thoughts and prayers.


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The Matthew Wright Gala fundraiser is July 10, 2010, in San Antonio, Texas