Matt learns to do everything again

It seemed like a great idea at the time when, in early 2018, Matthew Rodgers‑Falk was celebrating with mates at a house party and attempted to jump off the roof into a pool.

In what he describes as “a stupid decision”, Matt had followed his mates onto the Cornubia house’s roof to jump into the pool but slipped just as he should have leapt.

In July this year Matt visited Capalaba Ambulance Station to meet with Paramedics Hannah, Peter, and Andrew, and Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) Brooke, who helped him that day back in 2018.

ACP and Operational Media Liaison Officer Jen Kinsela who organised the patient reunite said Matt landed first on the concrete and then into the pool.

“By the time our Critical Care and the High Acuity Response Unit paramedics arrived, his mates had got him out of the pool and had started CPR – a crucial move which kept him alive,” Jen said.

“Our paramedics found Matt had suffered significant head and leg injuries and he was intubated on the scene and transported to the Princess Alexandra Hospital in a critical condition.”

Jen said a few gruelling months passed with Matt in a coma, with family and friends not knowing the extent of his brain injuries, let alone whether he would survive.

Matt eventually woke from his coma and after several months recovering with endless hours of rehabilitation, along with the support from his family and friends, he gradually learned how to walk, talk and as he says, “learn how to do everything” again. Jen said Matt’s new life is rebuilding slowly and he is learning to live with his disabilities.

“It was certainly a hard slog for him, but nothing could wipe the smile off his face when he came to the station to meet everyone,” she said. “Matt was so excited, and his positive attitude was infectious.

“He was proud to be able to show us how well he is doing now, and it was clear how much our paramedics’ early care has contributed to his recovery.

“The reunite was heart-warming for everyone – his family, QAS staff and of course the media.

“Although it was three years since his accident, it was clear how important it was to Matt to be able to thank the paramedics who helped him and have an opportunity to put some missing pieces together from that tragic night,” Jen said.

“It just goes to show regardless of how much time has passed, it’s never too late to arrange a patient reunite.”

Matt and his family meet the QAS team who saved his life.