TEDTalk | Scott Matzka | How 3 Letters Changed My Life
Scott Matzka is a University of Michigan alumni, and played hockey for 11 years at the collegiate and professional level. He has been married to his wife for 7 years and is a father of two children. The initial signs and symptoms of ALS he experienced were forearm cramps, stiffness in his fingers, and muscle spasticity in his hands. After seeing a general doctor and after months of MRIs, blood tests, and examinations, he was referred to a neurologist and diagnosed with ALS. Five years prior to his diagnoses, Scott was in peak athletic condition, being able to run a 6-minute mile and hit a golf ball 300 yards. From then to 2017, there was a stark contrast. His day to day life was significantly impacted and he was faced with new challenges, including walking to the mailbox, dressing himself, holding utensils, and getting out of a car or up from a chair.
When Scott was diagnosed, he knew he had to make a choice - to lie down or stand up. He resonated with other people who have been faced with a similar choice on how to proceed with life when they have had a life-changing event such as losing a loved one or having a career-ending injury. Although he knew he would never walk his daughter down the aisle or hold his future grandchildren, he chose to live life to the fullest. He considered keeping his diagnoses personal in fear of making others sad or upset. Instead, he chose to be vulnerable, and as a result, he strengthened his current relationships with his family, friends, and former teammates, and created new bonds with people he has never met from places he has never visit. With such a strong rapport for emotional support, they were able to build a bucket list and Scott found a new meaning to his life.
Through this encouragement, Scott founded "My Turn" which is a campaign to raise awareness and aid to the ALS cause. This turned into his life's purpose and reason for getting up every morning. Scott shared 2 lessons with his audience. Lesson 1: Vulnerability. If he had not shared his diagnoses with others, he would not have received such love and compassion from his loved ones, or have raised the extent of awareness he had. This leads to Lesson 2: Perspective. As a result of his vulnerability, he was able to change how others looked at and approached their own lives. This prompts the question - what would our life be like if we knew death was close, inevitable, and could occur at any given moment? Maybe we would see less of our daily exposure to terrorism and shootings, and maybe, instead, we would be kinder, more compassionate, and more generous toward others.
This video was so touching and deepened my empathy as an OT student and future practitioner to those with ALS, as well as others who may be experiencing a life-altering disease or injury. Upon being diagnosed, Scott was not informed by any medical professional or website on how to approach life after his diagnoses. No one told him "...that life goes on. They don't tell you that you have to keep on going... even that very same day." With our holistic approach, we as OT's can help and guide others through these emotions so that they can continue to live life to their fullest, possible potential. This gives our role a profound meaning and purpose that others cannot fulfill. By sharing his experience, Scott introduced a ripple effect so that we may continue to advocate for the ALS cause. Although Scott passed away in December of 2018, his legacy thrives and lives on through the lives of those he impacted.
~ Pam ♡
Picture retrieved from: Google Images
TEDx Talks. (2017, March). How 3 Letters Changed My Life [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOK83OHmTbE
No comments:
Post a Comment