Matt Reum.Photo:Haley Traxler/GoFundMe
Haley Traxler/GoFundMe
An Indiana man who was rescued after beingtrapped in his wrecked truckfor six days last month offered a heartfelt thank you to his supporters.
In a video message posted on his Facebookon Thursday, Matthew Reum, 27, provided an update about how he’s doing more than a week after two good Samaritans found him at Interstate 94 at the 19-mile marker.
“This last week and a half, I’ve seen more love, random acts of kindness,” Reum said, “I’ve seen random people donate money…I’ve had people reach out from California, Connecticut, Minnesota, Washington, Fort Lauderdale…just people who’ve seen the news and have seen my story. Being able to be the beneficiary of all this…I almost feel unwarranted love.”
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Reum said in the new video that he now has an above-the-knee amputation, along with a broken ankle and broken hand.
Fifield said that Reum had been involved in a crash and was not able to reach his cell phone to call for help. Reum was extricated from the vehicle and flown via a Lutheran Air helicopter to Memorial Hospital in South Bend.
At the press conference, Mario Garcia, one of the fishermen who found Reum, recalled upon discovering him: “It almost killed me there because it was so shocking. He was alive and very happy to see us.”
In his latest video message, Reum, who hails from Mishawaka, Indiana, said that he has been moved to rehab and has a wheelchair and walker to help him get around.
“I never thought that at 27 I would have to start worrying about how do I get around… and what’s the best way for me to get to bed and what’s the best way for me to sit on a toilet,” he said. “There are so many things we take for granted in life, and now I can’t take it for granted. This is how I have to get into my bed now. This is how I have to live life.”
“There are so many things you guys have taken the burden off of in terms of moving forward,” Reum said. “I’m planning on getting a new apartment that is more wheelchair friendly. If I didn’t have this huge support group that I have from you guys, it would be almost impossible…I’d never be able to do it without the help of you guys. I cannot tell you how thankful I am for that.”
PEOPLE reached out to Reum for comment, but did not receive an immediate response.
source: people.com
