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MATTHEW RYGIEL
"How My Life Is", an essay written by Matthew, in memory of his passing eight years ago much too soon. Matthew, we love you and miss you and Pete so much every single day.
Some people think that being me is really cool because I skip class five minutes early and sometimes I get out of school to go get some ice cream or hot chocolate with my T.A., Mr. Finn. But no matter how cool my life seems to be, it's twice as hard. Hello, my name is Matthew Rygiel and I'm here to tell you what is is like to be me.
I hate it when complete strangers walk up to me and assume that I was in a fire or got burned by acid or something. I know it's supposed to mean that they care but it still hurts inside. I like it when people just ask "I don't want to be mean or noisy but what happened to you?" And then once I do tell them, sometimes they say "oh, I'm sorry" and that makes me feel a lot better.
I hate the fact that my hands are too small. It makes me mad that I can't hold a glass with one hand unless it has a handle or that I can't hold a controller unless it's sitting on my lap. But I'm very grateful that I can type with a keyboard and that I can write normally with a pen or pencil.
A lot of people like to run, including me.
I constantly have bandages on my feet and whenever I run, even it's it for 10-20 minutes my feet can get hurt bad enough that with every step I take it will feel painful and worse for about two weeks or more.
Everybody has a sore eye. Whether it just be dust in your eye or something really serious that you have to wear a patch on your eye. I have had a sore so bad that I was temporarily blind for a whole week.
It makes me really mad when kids do the dumbest things like fighting or smoking pot because they don't realize how lucky they are. They could be playing sports or helping someone else by getting a book from a high shelf if they are too short. Every day I wish I had what so many of you have and so do many other disadvantaged children. The simplest things in life such as eating, walking, playing, riding a bike and sometimes even breathing can be the most difficult obstacles for me to overcome.
Some people make me feel really good about myself. A couple of months ago a friend of mine said something to me that really made me feel good and he was just like so many of you. He said "Everybody thinks you can't do a lot of things, I'm that sure that whatever I can do, you can do it too. Including tackle football". Although even if I was healthy, I don't think that I would play anyway. I hope we become friends for a long time.
Most of you can't begin to imagine what it's like to be me and even I can't imagine what it's like to be like some other disadvantaged kids but I'm very honoured and grateful that my family and staff at Andrew Mynarksi made a life a lot better.
Thank you, Matthew Rygiel
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 25, 2022
Condolences & Memories (3 entries)
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He was one of my best friends. I still talk about him often. I referenced his eulogy today when I committed to rehearsing stand-up with another close friend. "Rewrite it as if you don't suck," was what I told him after he had rehearsed his very first act. I'm sure he'd say the same to me. I have so many deeply imprinted memories of Matty. I can't see Spiderman and not think of him. He changed my life. I know he's still acting up wherever he is. I remember talking to him about this essay, but never had the chance to read it. I hope the rest of the family is doing well. Thanks for sharing. - Posted by: Rendwulf (Iberclawe) on: Oct 25, 2022
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On June 22 each year I fold a butterfly. It was the last thing that we folded together in 2014. Today I folded a yellow crane as yellow is the color of friendship. I miss the humor and smile. - Posted by: Brian Cox (Friend) on: Oct 25, 2022
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Precious! Thank you for sharing! - Posted by: Mae Ross (stranger) on: Oct 25, 2022