HILLCREST High School has chosen Matthew Legemaate as its SPAR Star of the Month.
Matthew was born with a congenital heart defect, Tetralogy of Fallots and pulmonary atresia. At the age of 36 hours, he had been through the first of many surgeries. By age 10, he had had five open heart surgeries. He has had a number of surgeries and interventions and now, because of developing pulmonary hypertension (a rare and silent killer) and a number of other lung conditions, Matthew is on the waiting list for a heart and bi-lateral lung transplant to have a second chance at life.
Since enrolling at Hillcrest High School in Grade 8 in 2013, Matthew has been on permanent oxygen supply and carries his rather heavy oxygen machine around with him as he moves between classes.
Jenny Steytler, an educator at the school, said what makes Matthew a star pupil is his incredible attitude.
“As exhausted as he gets during the school day, he always has a smile on his face and a kind word for everyone. He simply refuses to let his health situation get him down for any length of time. He strives to be as normal as possible and works extremely hard to keep his marks up and to give of his best.”
Loved by friends and teachers alike, this enthusiastic and principled young man is, indeed, a star pupil of whom Hillcrest High School is incredibly proud. Through his Facebook page and awareness activities, Matthew has also signed up hundreds of organ donors, who will one day each possibly save many other people’s lives.
School staff and pupils were able to raise funds on Friday, 13 May to provide Matthew with his own Medi-Zone Spa machine, which will hopefully keep him strong and healthy for when the time comes for his lung and heart operation. When he found out funds were being raised for him, Matthew’s first reaction was to ask that the funds be given to someone more in need. Matthew is a phenomenal example of putting others ahead of himself and he is a role model to all.
One of Matthew’s teachers summed it up best: “Matthew, you are an inspiration to all of us; one of the most dedicated, hardworking pupils we have ever had. You may have a heart that is not strong physically, but it is made of pure gold. You keep smiling and being so kind to everyone you meet, putting others before yourself. We are all behind you.”
To read more about Matthew’s journey, visit www.odf.org.za/matthews-journey.html and www.facebook.com/MatthewsJourneycomealongforthedrive/.
