“Mama, papa, please help me!
I want to get back on my feet again.
I don’t want to be in a wheelchair anymore, but I’m so scared! “
Marc was born and grew up in Praia da Luz. He was born with Down Syndrome but was able to enjoy many normal activities. Like many children, he loved playing the piano, painting, karate, and running on the beach while splashing in the water. Sadly he hasn’t been able to do the last two for a long time, and he wants to get better to enjoy his life again.
Now 18, he was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease and psoriasis, and then later on psoriatic arthritis, which means his joints and muscles are deteriorating. Since September 2021, his health has gone downhill, and he is now in a wheelchair, as his muscles are getting weaker as time goes by.
“I want to get better! Not only for myself but so that I can show others with disabilities and health problems that so much more is possible,” Marc says. “I have a big vision for my life and want to be an inspiration to others.”
His parents, Paul and Joana, have always believed in Marc’s potential and encouraged him to pursue his dreams. They taught him how to read and write, and he speaks two languages (English and Portuguese). They have done a lot of research into his condition and have put Marc on a strict diet full of nutrition and supplements. This regime helps a lot – the inflammation is very slowly disappearing, a few patches of psoriasis are clearing and Marc now has almost no pain. After a lot of research and trying many therapies, they believe the only man who can help is Patrick Matthews. He used to have a Bowen Therapy clinic here in Portugal and treated Marc when he was younger, which helped keep his whole system balanced. He returned to England about ten years ago. Afterwards, they tried different Bowen therapists without success.
The family has started a GoFundMe page to raise the money to stay near Patrick in Devon, England, for three months while other therapists treat Marc for his fears and anxiety. Despite working hard and caring for Marc 24/7, they cannot fund the trip on their own.
Determined to draw a positive outcome from the experience, Marc wants to be trained in Bowen Therapy or a similar type of bodywork and hypnotherapy so that he can help others in need in the future and make a difference in their and his world.
Paul comments, “Marc is a very intelligent and loving young man with a lot of potential and dreams. We want him to live a long and happy life, so when last year his physical state worsened, we found ourselves in a difficult situation. What to do? There must be an answer. We hope that people will help us.”
Now all Marc dreams of is walking with his parents along Luz beach without a wheelchair.
