Matt Johnston Florida Trip 2010

[scuba diving Matt]

Back in 2006 Conch Republic Divers hosted Matt Johnston to come down and go scuba diving. Now that in itself is not a big thing, but the fact that Matt has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, confined to a wheel chair and on a ventilator is. He made history November 2006 by being the first person in his condition to ever go scuba diving.

In 2006 Matt was 29 years old and this January he will be turning 33. People in his condition are not expected to live past the age of 30.

I was also able to contact the Today Show who in 2006 came down to document his historic dive. You can see that episode from the link here. Matt Johnston On The Today Show.

Matt made history on that day and as a result the History of Diving Museum in
Islamorada to put up an exhibit to his remarkable dive. Matt has never seen the
exhibit and I'm working on getting him down here for a week in January to see
the exhibit and maybe get him a swim with the dolphins the Island Dolphin Care.

Here's the link to his website.

I'm going to bring Matt down one more time from January 10th – 17th to see his
exhibit, swim with the dolphins, and just hang out. Matt's birthday is January
12th. So it's going to be a big birthday party too. Not sure how many more he
has.

I've set up a fund for Matt at TIB Bank here in Tavernier.
Matt Johnson Florida Fund
C/O TIB Bank
91980 Overseas Hwy
Tavernier, FL 33070
(305)852-9500

You can also donate at this link.

All proceeds to the fund will be used to get Matt here. We're going to need
around $5000 to get him down, provide lodging, transportation, and some
activities while here.

Also Frank of the M/V Spree and myself will be cutting our hair to donate it to
Locks Of Love and taking pledges per inch of hair we donate. This money will
also got to Matt's fund. More to come or go on this.

Anyway for those that know Matt know he's a great guy and if any of you could
help fund his trip, it would be very much appreciated. When I think I have
problems....well I don't.

Good Diving,