Matthew Mann (Contributed photo)
Matthew Mann with his wife Jessica on their wedding day. After the crash, Matthew asked her to marry him, and she has been by his side through treatments ever since. (Contributed photo)Even though he is no longer in critical condition, Matthew Mann and his family are still in need of your prayers now just as much as ever.
Since an oncoming car crashed into the side of his transport vehicle on Jan. 19, the Walker County prison fire chief has been from hospital to hospital.
The accident left him with two crushed heels, a kneecap shattered into eight pieces, a femur split horizontally and vertically, plus multiple open wounds and internal bleeding. Though he lost his spleen and part of his lower intestine during the surgeries, he is now steadily recovering.
"They didn't think he was going to live through the night," said his eldest daughter, Autumn. "He's a miracle. He knows that, and he tells everybody that."
Throughout the ordeal, Matthew and his family have received nonstop support from the community. Friends, relatives and strangers donated their time, money and food to help the family stay afloat. Supporters have given through fundraisers and a GoFundMe page, and more than 1,800 people have "liked" his Facebook group, Prayers For Matthew.
"Just to know that everybody's praying for him and their prayers are being answered and that he's still here with us, it's just amazing," Autumn said."Without all this, we would definitely be train wrecks for sure. We would be even more of a mess than we already are."
Autumn said the family has also been pleased with something just as important the community has donated: blood.
Matthew had always been a faithful blood donor, making regular donations to the blood bank every 57 days. His own need in the wake of the crash showed others just how vital the service is during emergencies.
In the first 24 hours after the crash, Matthew went through 54 units of blood. Those units saved his life, and the same is true for many across the country each day.
On average, 4.5 million Americans need a blood transfusion each year, said Blood Assurance donor recruiter Nikita Edwards. That blood doesn't just serve trauma victims like Matthew; the donated blood is used to help cancer patients, burn victims and those with blood clot disorders and conditions, as well, Edwards said.
Dozens of community members rallied to donate blood in honor of the chief during and before a blood drive on Feb. 15, helping others faced with similar tragedies.
"Yes, that [donation] doesn't go directly to Matthew, but somebody had to donate that blood that did go to him," Autumn said. "We never know who's going to need that."
For that reason, the family urges everyone to give blood A second blood drive will be held in Matthew's honor on May 22 at the Walker State Prison in LaFayette.
"We definitely believe in giving back to the community," Autumn said. "Matthew has encouraged it, and we have encouraged the local community and the prayer pages to give as much as they can, when they can, because you never know when your family member's going to be the one who needs it."
For now, Matthew is recovering and in stable condition, despite some recent complications with a leaky colon. He continues to stay strong, and his faith has never wavered, she said.
"He gives all the glory and the praise to God, even in a situation like that," Autumn said. "I'm not sure if any of us would be able to overcome the situation the way he has. He just has that strong spirit and strong will."
Though his medical bills are being covered through worker's compensation, Autumn said the family is still asking for financial support to help cover the cost of current and future expenses, such as modifications to make his home handicap accessible.
Donations can be made at paypal.me/teambatmatt or at the Bank of LaFayette by designating the money for Chief Matthew Mann.