Families Find Rest at Matthew’s House

Matthew with his parents, Doug and Andrea & family - Credit Jason Brown, Revival Arts Studio

Every parent knows what it feels like to need a break. Of course you love your children but you also need time alone or as a couple just to refresh and renew. For parents of children living with complex care needs, getting that break is never simple. Everything from a trip to the grocery store to planning a holiday must include concern for wheelchair accessibility, the availability of medical equipment, or how a child’s health might be compromised. Providing around-the-clock care can be exhausting for parents of children with disabilities.

Bradner residents, Doug and Andrea Froese have lived this reality. Complications during his birth left their son Matthew with multiple challenges; he was completely dependent on others for every aspect of daily living. Despite this, Matthew was deeply loved and brought great joy to his family and friends. 
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“Matthew had a gentle spirit,” his parents say. “He had a way of getting into your heart and grabbing hold of it.”
Sadly, on August 14, 2010, Matthew took his last breaths while being held in loving arms. He was just 10 years old but he left behind an enormous legacy of love.
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Matthew - Credit Jason Brown, Revival Arts Studio

Doug and Andrea sought to honour that legacy by supporting other families like theirs. They envisioned a home away from home, where parents could bring their child knowing that they would be well-cared for by experienced, compassionate caregivers. On November 23, 2013, that vision became a reality when Matthew’s House officially opened its doors in Abbotsford to welcome families from across BC. It has made an enormous difference.
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“Our hope with Matthew’s House is to help bring a balance between the demanding care of a child with high needs and the care of the whole family,” says Andrea. 

Shannon Aziz has two girls who live with cerebral palsy with atrophy of the cerebellum, which means that they require round-the-clock care. Bringing the girls to Matthew’s House has had a big impact on their family.  They’ve had to outfit their own home with overhead lifts for transferring, shower and toilet commodes, standing frames, walkers, and wheelchairs. Finding a respite home that is equipped to care for her daughters has been a blessing.

“Being able to bring our daughters to Matthew’s House means we can do typical family things, like going shopping or to a movie,” Shannon says. “It allows us to spend more time with our other daughter.”
None of this would have been possible without Doug and Andrea’s tireless efforts. They rallied support from individuals, community partners and both municipal and provincial governments. Matthew’s House is a testimony to their vision and the support of a community that has made this resource possible to other families with special children like Matthew.

It costs nearly a million dollars annually to keep Matthew’s House open, most of which comes from fundraising events and gifts from generous donors. The families who use Matthew’s House do not take these gifts for granted and want donors to know that their gifts make a difference.

“We feel so blessed to have found Matthew’s House and feel so accepted there,” says Charlene Witt, whose son Karter visits Matthew’s House regularly. “We hope that people will support Matthew’s House financially for the amazing work they are doing.”

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Matthew’s House is located at:
32788 Marshall Road
Abbotsford, BC  V2S 1J7

For Information About Matthew’s House and How You Can Contribute,

​​Visit mattshouse.ca

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Communitas Supportive Care Society
103-2776 Bourqin Crescent West
Abbotsford, BC  V2S 6A4

604-850-6608 
[email protected] 
[email protected]
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For Parents
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Article submitted by Angelika Dawson, Communications Manager, Communitas Supportive Care Society