On May 25, 2013, several of Matt’s friends organized an amazing Celebration of Life Event to share Matt’s inspirational life with friends and allow friends to share their love with Matt.
Matt has battled cancer since he was two years old. He has been homeless much of his adult life. Matt has had over 1,700 surgeries and has been discriminated against, because of the disfigurements these surgeries have caused.
Yet, to those of us who know Matt, he is our Gentle Giant. Despite the pain and agony he lives with daily, as well as the looks, stares and horrible comments, Matt is the most inspirational person you will meet, due to his courageousness and perseverance in the midst of adversity.
Matt now lives with 2 large brain tumors, in addition to many other complications. Let’s enjoy Matt and tell him how much we care while he is still here!
Be a part of this great celebration, right here online!
1: Watch videos from the event.
2: Leave comments on Matt’s website.
3: Create your own webcam message to Matt (upload to YouTube and post the URL here).
4: Order Matt’s book.
5: Share this event, videos and Matt’s website with others! AViewFromTheStreet.com
Part 1: Welcome and Matt’s Story
Part 2: Matt Speaking at the 2011 Invisible Disabilities Association
Awards Banquet.
Part 3: LIVE Presentations from Friends
Part 4: Video Presentations from Friends
Part 5: Matt Barrett Day Proclaimed by Seattle Mayor, Mike McGill
Part 6: Final Word from Matt
Part 7: Our Hopes for Matt (Thanks, Prayer Circle, Closing
and visiting with Matt).
Banquet Committee:
Dave Spicer, Host
Marti Spicer
Vince Herberholt
Cathy Murray
Susan Bannon
Susan Leonarhdi
Sue Morgan
Matt Barrett
Thank you to ALL who helped make this event amazing!
A View from the Street 
Although we were in choir together in high school, we were in different classes and didn’t get to know each other very well.
I can’t express how much my life has changed since we reconnected about 10 years ago. I am blessed to call you friend. And I am honored to have had the privilege to walk through this journey alongside of you.
You have lived an incredible life of pain and tribulation. You have faced adversity that goes beyond human comprehension.
Thank you for sharing your life with me. And thank you for sharing your hardships and what you have learned with others. I know it has been costly to you at times, but so many lives have been changed by your story and testimony.
When you spoke at the Invisible Disabilities Association Awards Banquet, lives were changed! People are still talking about how unbelievable it was to meet you; you were such an amazing inspiration to everyone that night and through the stories that have been shared about you. But it is not just what you have been through that makes you an inspiration to so many. It is the man you are in spite of it.
Though you have endured a lifetime of suffering, you are a loving, caring man with a giant heart. You have given of your time and possessions to speak out for others living in poverty. You have done very big things from helping the medical community hone in on the genetic components of BCCNS to having laws changed, to speaking out for those who are homeless.
You have even taken warm dry socks to people, because you know how valuable those socks are when a person lives in a tent, because you have been there. It may be a simple gesture to some, but to those who receive them, they are a treasure.
And something I have seen you do time and time again is to share what has been given to you. Someone may give you blankets, clothing, kitchen items or even your favorite Enstrom’s toffee. Instead of keeping it all to yourself, you share it with your friends or others in need.
You once said you want to leave a positive mark on this world. Well, my friend you have! And I am so thankful that your life will continue to be shared through the words of those who have met you and have had the joy of being your friend, articles about you, videos of your speaking, your book and your blog … long after you have gone.
Matt, I dread the day I lose you. My life won’t be the same without you. But I am thankful that I had the privilege of knowing you and will keep our memories locked tight in my heart until the day we meet again.
Matt I met you at IDA. You were always such an inspiration to me. Probably always will be. You have a special place in my heart. hugs
I send you the best thoughts & prayers to yourself & Sherri Mitchel. I think you have done great things with you life especially in view of your challenges and you inspire me to do the most with what I have been given. In this you have left your mark
Reblogged this on A Frail Reality and commented:
A life to know
Matt you and I went to GJHS together and even thou we didn’t hang out in the same crowds you are still an inspiration to a lot of people and I wish you nothing but the best in life filled with love and happiness!! God Bless!
Dear Matt,Mrs.Puckett is my stepmother, my name is shelly fenley.im so proud and blesed to have katy as my mom(step),she helped me get to you!!You have let me know that im not alone in this big world,people really do have hearts…thank u 4 giving me NEW hope,i love u for that I HAVE A FACE BOOK PAGE if u would like to b my friend,i would like to be yours. i too have dealed with being homeless,i was born with 1 leg,and yes people can be mean!!! and yes it hurts but i also wonder y they hurt so bad that they must say mean things to try and hurt others feeling??!! just a thought!! Mrs.Puckett taught me that @a early age!! thanks again shelly,
Dear Matt, you are the greatest!!! I wish you only the best. Take care and thank you for giving all of us so much hope and beauty.
Dear Matt: I am so sorry that I missed this day. It’s not an excuse but my life is a little chaotic right now (when hasn’t it been? ha!) and I am a little scattered. I sincerely would have been here to celebrate with you and the rest of the gang from IDA. You have always amazed me with all that you have dealt with. I have ALWAYS had empathy for you in a huge way. I am not immune to looking different since my own grandson has a brain injury as well as Cerebral Palsy. I know what you have faced!!!! I only wish we had lived closer. I am working on my own blog and hope to get it up and running by end of next week. I am going to add links back to you and IDA. I always wished we could have gotten a producer to do a documentary on you as well as Sherri. Is it too late? I don’t think so. Has it been done already and did I just not realize it? Again, I am scattered and on overload myself – as well as being chronically ill. Of course I am NOTHING near as bad as you, Sherri and many others. I try to do what I can do for others as well as my own grandson. All this hits home. You are an amazing man and I really do feel you deserve so much better and, so much more. I am NEVER surprised when it comes to people making nasty comments or staring. Quite simply, there are so many people out there that are just very ignorant and raise their children to be that way. Maybe they do not realize what they are doing – perhaps they can’t imagine putting the shoe on the other foot so to speak? I don’t know but there are ill informed folks and they need to be educated. Words hurt – stares hurt. We need to bring attention to this.
You are special and NEVER let anyone think otherwise.
I live in Seattle and I just learned about IDA, and reading about you was really amazing. I don’t know you, but you seem like a wonderful, and amazing person.
That is really interesting, You are an overly skilled blogger.
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I read about your story on Everyone Matters and your battles with life struck a chord with me.
Your courage is inspirational. People use that word all the time, but this is not an empty platitude. Thank you for giving me the gift of reflection as I marvel over how you have been able to let go of the anger and hurt.
As a perpetually sick child, a two time survivor of 2 different cancers, and someone who also has an invisible disease, a blood clotting disorder called APS, so much of what you have so generously shared hits home in my heart.
Thank you for sharing your light. Thank you for sharing your hope. Thank you for sharing your resilience. And most of all, thank you for sharing your love with a world that was too often too cruel to understand. You are truly a son of God.
Much love, peace and prayers for comfort and a release from the pain.
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