THE co-owner of Bury record shops Vibes and Muse has thanked people for their ‘love and support’ after an horrific mountain bike accident left him paralysed.
Mat Andrew was a familiar face to generations of music lovers in the 1980s and 1990s, running Muse on Princess Parade in the town centre with his brother Chris.
He was rushed to hospital in a critical condition after the accident on Vancouver Island, Canada - where he now lives - in October.
After two months of hospital treatment, he was discharged just before Christmas and is now undergoing intensive rehabilitation, which friends and family are helping to pay for through a Go Fund Me page.
Such treatment is not publicly funded in Canada.
Writing on his Facebook Page, Mat the Alien, the DJ posted: “It was an intense journey, two months in the hospital with surgery, pneumonia, hallucinations from having pain killers
“Then I had to re-learn how to breathe, how to talk, how to swallow and eat.
“Thank you to anyone that’s sent messages, gifts and donated to my go fund me or other fund raisers.
“I’ve been meaning to say this but really do appreciate the love and support
“The world will be a different place when I leave here in three or four months
“My mind is good, lungs are good, arms are strong, hands are still weak and paralysed waist down.
“Things can change and miracles can happen but whatever outcome I’m happy and ready to face it.”
Former landlord of the Corner Pin in Stubbins, Jim Cunliffe, father of Justine Andrew, Mat’s sister-in-law, said: “Mat came out of hospital before Christmas and is now undergoing rehabilitation in a centre which treats people and he has a very strong mental attitude. He is being very positive.
“He and Chris have been overwhelmed with the support they have received from people who remember them in Bury.
“We are pleased he is out of hospital and undergoing rehabilitation.
“ Coronavirus means he is not allowed visitors but family is keeping in touch through Facetime.”
Although Mat faces a long journey, his family are hoping he can continue to pursue his love of music in the future.
Mat is documenting his recovery on his Facebook page.
Mat and his brother left Bury for Canada around 25 years ago with Vibes closing in 2011 after 33 years of trading.
Chris, works in a university and Mat continued to pursue his love of music, becoming known world over as Mat the Alien gaining a global following.
Ill be here at #gfstong until march.
Learning lots about my disability and how to do everyday things.
Things like getting my heavy as f$&$ legs into bed with lots of help from @aliendonkeyfart
Things can change , but as it stands what you see in the photo from the Monster logo up is what i can feel.
The underneath of both arms is numb but i have good arm movement and strength.
My hands have mobility but are weak. Having no abs makes be so tippy. This shits so trippy but im feeling comfortable in the wheelchair and accepting this challenge going into 2021.
Just saw this x ray of my neck. You can even see my 🧠 and where I crushed my spinal cord. It’s was a intense journey , 2 months in the hospital with surgery , pneumonia, hallucinations from having pain killers like fentanyl and morpheme.
Then I had to re learn how to breathe , how to talk , how to swallow and eat.
Life changer for sure
Happy to be in GF Strong now meeting people with similar injuries.
Thank you to anyone that’s sent messages , gifts and donated To my go fund me or other fund raisers.
I’ve been meaning to say this but really do appreciate the love and support
The world will be a different place when I leave here in 3-4 months
My mind is good , lungs are good , arms are strong , hands are still weak and paralyzed waist down.
Things can change and miracles can happen but whatever outcome I’m happy and ready to face it
HE co-founder of Bury’s legendary record shops Vibes and Muse is in a critical condition in hospital after a horrific mountain bike accident.
Mat Andrew, who will have been familiar face to generations of music lovers in the 80s ad 90s through running Muse on Princess Parade in Bury town centre, suffered serious injuries while out riding his mountain bike on Vancouver Island a fortnight ago.
His family say the accident, in which he went over the handlebars, has left him paralysed.
They say that his road to recovery “will be a long and emotional” but added he is “not one to shy away from a challenge”.
(Matt Andrew with son Elliot)
Brother Chris, who ran Vibes in the Haymarket, said: “Our hearts are broke, such a tragic accident has changed Mat and all of his beautiful family’s life forever.
“Mat is our talented, crazy son, brother, uncle and brother-in-law and if anyone can get through this he can.”
Mat, aged 48, was airlifted to Vancouver General Hospital where he is being on ventilator to help with his breathing, say his family, who have launched a fund to help with his intensive rehabilitation as it is not publicly funded in Canada.
The Bolton News:
(Mat and Chris Andrew)
Chris said: “We are exploring and open to all methods of treatment to support Mat and his recovery.
“We are blown away by the amount of support, love and well-wishes and generosity.
“It is amazing to see the people and community within Mat’s life coming together to support him.
“With the financial support of Go Fund Me, Mat’s time will be 100 per cent focused on healing his body in every way possible.”
Former landlord of the Corner Pin in Stubbins, Jim Cunliffe, dad of Justine Andrew, Mat’s sister-in-law, said: “We are all heartbroken. Everyone is devastated. Mat has a 10-year-old boy Elliot. Everyone is just in shock.”
Mat and his brother left Bury for Canada around 25 years ago, with Vibes closing in 2011 after 33 years of trading. Chris, now works in a university and Mat continued to pursue his love of music and became known world over as Mat the Alien, gaining a huge following across the world as a DJ. He was due to be the DJ at his niece Molly’s wedding next year.
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The Bolton News:
(Mat Andrew world famous DJ)
Both Chris and Mat are said to have inspired many people to develop a career in music.
To donate visit https://uk.gofundme.com/f/3ckgd-really-good-fundraiser
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