Matt Fortuna is a snowboarder and coach at Okemo Mountain. Recently he had a major health crisis, which his family has written about in the Aug. 24 edition of The Vermont Journal.
On July 5, 2011 we received the call that no parent ever expects to get. My son zack (23) called to tell us that his older brother Matt (26), had collapsed and was in cardiac arrest, we needed to get there fast. At the time Matt and zack were both in Block Island, Rhode Island and we did not know what hospital he would be airlifted to. We just knew it was south from Vermont, so we just got on the road and started driving. It is that moment that you hear about when time in the world stops for you. It really does happen that way. We made a few quick phone calls to our son Ryan and his wife Gretchen to come to our house and wait with our youngest son Cody. We were out of the house in less than an hour and on our way to be with our sons. We knew we would be out of phone contact for about an hour, so we told zack to make good decisions for his brother’s medical care. Bob and I are both on Ludlow Ambulance Squad and know all too well that the decisions made early are critical to possible recover. We had faith in zack and his ability to do the right thing for Matt. Then we started the long drive to Rhode Island.
Here is the story:
Matt had gotten up and worked all day as a stonemason. Nothing unusual there, he did it every day. It was a super hot day and finished up work about 5 pm. After work he went to the skate park with 2 friends, but it was just too hot to even do that, so they just stayed at the park talking. Then he suddenly collapsed. No warning, his heart just stopped. The two friends he was with at the park, reacted quickly activated the EMS System and started CPR immediately. After 20 minutes of care on scene and 2 shocks to the heart the ambulance crew got a rhythm and brought him back. He and zack were airlifted to Rhode Island Hospital. When we arrived, Matt was on a respirator and zack had signed for him to be put in the therapeutic hypothermia. Later we would discover that this coma would be part of the reason why he survived. After several days in a coma and lots of tests they tried to wake him up. To our grateful astonishment he was able to speak and recognize people. It took several more days and many more test and procedures before we knew if there was any permanent damage and miraculously there was not. Except for some short-term memory issues, some of which would improve over time, he was ok. After weeks of test, doctors from 3 hospitals called in to consult, there was still no cause determined for the event. All the doctors did agree on what had to happen next, Matt had to have an Internal Cardiac Defibrillator put in. The Doctors told us it may never happen again or it could happen in the parking lot as you are leaving the hospital. We just don’t know. This device is the safety net he now has for life. The Doctors assure Matt that he can lead a very normal life with some modifications due to the ICD. They tell us that in time he will be able to go back to doing the things he loves, being a snowboard coach at Okemo and landscaping on Block Island.
Matt is now at home where he will be spending the next several months recovering. He is spending time with his family and friends and of course, his dog Jade. Like so many people his age, Matt did not have health insurance. The medical bills and paperwork are something we will be dealing with for years. This event is something no family is ever prepared for. I cannot imagine how we would have dealt with all of this without the family, friends, and support from everyone in our community.
We are constantly asked by people, “What can we do to help.” Our answer is simple. Learn CPR. Our son is alive because 2 skate park friends got CPR going in less than a minute. If Matt had not gotten CPR so quickly, he may not have survived until the ambulance arrived and likely would have had permanent brain damage. The Fortuna Family is now on a mission of education. The goal is to teach CPR to our community. We are working with volunteer instructors from Ludlow Ambulance and our hope is to teach as many people as we can CPR. We have more than 50 people signed up for our first classes. CPR only takes a couple of hours to learn and it could save a life.
On Friday August 12, “Friends of Matt Fortuna” hosted a benefit at “The Outback” in Ludlow. We were blown away by the outpouring of support. The estimate was that more than 350 people were in attendance at the event. Outback owner Casey Crompton was very generous in his contributions and the use of the Outback, but also helped with the organization of the event. There are 2 other very special people to thank. Event organizers Cara White and Casey Hodge, these 2 very good friends of Matt’s really are the driving force behind this event. Without this group of people and their army of helpers, this event would not have happened. We very much appreciate your support for our son Matt. We are blessed to have lots of family and many friends here we have known for years. The most amazing part was that some of the people who contributed to Matt’s fundraiser did not even know our family. This benefit shows the generosity of spirit and the love and support of the people of Ludlow. When you live in a small town it is true that everyone knows your name and business. It is also true that when a local family is in crisis, Ludlow and her residents come together to support one of their own.
To the people of Ludlow, we thank you. Your generosity and support has touched our hearts and we will be forever grateful.
Bob and Terry
Ryan, Gretchen, zack and Cody Fortuna
Roy and Barbara Spaulding-grandparents
Ludlow Ambulance Service is the contact for all CPR classes-email ludlowambulance@gmail.com
Contributions to support Matt can be sent to Val Record, PO Box 635, Chester, VT 05143
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