CCN’s September 18th Hero is Matthew

When I was 9 years old my family learned that I had scoliosis.  This led us to find that it was more than scoliosis but that I had cancer in my spinal cord.  I was diagnosed with Juvenile Pilocytic Astrocytoma.  It was surgically removed and I had temporary paralysis.  After staying in the hospital for a month I had 10 months of physical therapy.  I am 17 years old now and am attending college.  My favorite food is macaroni and cheese.  If I could talk to my cancer I would say “Nice try!”