Matias Finds His Inspiration in Shriners Children’s Mission

It started out as a normal day at school for Matias and his classmates in their hometown of Queretaro, Mexico.

The group of four teenage boys decided it was a good day to go out during their lunch break, so they hopped into the car to go to a local fast food restaurant. After eating their meal, the boys got in the car to head back to school, and Matias took his spot in the back seat.

As they made their way back, the driver took a curve in the road too fast, and the vehicle spun out of control, striking three different light poles before coming to a stop. Matias was briefly unconscious, but the friend next to him in the back seat was able to wake him before the car became engulfed in flames. The two boys helped each other get out of the car window, because the doors were jammed shut.

Matias would suffer severe burns across his body because of the accident, along with a broken left leg. The local hospital did not have the resources needed to treat his injuries, so he was flown by helicopter to a hospital in Mexico City. It was there that Matias’ parents heard about Shriners Children’s, and a local Shriner assisted them in getting Matias transported to Shriners Children’s Texas in Galveston.

Once he made it to Galveston, Matias would remain in intensive care for a month. He does not recall much about his time in the ICU, but he does remember how the nurses would keep him company during the long nights, talking to him and comforting him during his initial recovery.

Still receiving treatment as an outpatient, Matias is thankful to be bouncing back from his injuries. Currently he is going through physical therapy to improve his mobility. His mother, Luz, is thankful to the staff of Shriners Children’s for his continued improvement.