A freak accident in the first game of the 2015 rugby season changed Maciu Vosa’s life forever.
Matty, as he is affectionately known, broke his neck when he was crushed under the weight of his teammates and opponents, leaving him a C4 quadriplegic.
The father of two has no feeling from his upper chest down, but has some limited movement in his arms.
His around-the-clock care is administered by his wife, Kylie, and two carers.
A support group, which includes Matty’s teammates from Box Hill Rugby Union Club, has been raising money to support the Vosa family since the accident.
Its Eynesbury celebrity golf day, now in its second year, will be held on Friday, May 18, to raise money for renovations to make the family’s Hoppers Crossing home more wheelchair-friendly.
This year’s guests will include rugby personalities George Gregan, Rod Kafer and Sean Maloney.
Money raised by the golf day will bridge the gap of $150,000 needed for renovations to allow Matty to manoeuvre around the house.
Mrs Vosa said Matty and the entire family were overwhelmed by the support.
“We’re so appreciative of all the support since the very beginning,” she told
Star Weekly.
“We have received a lot of support and love from the club and the whole rugby family.
“The celebrity golf day event should be another fun day – we had a blast last year.”
Accessibility at home is a daily struggle for Matty.
Mrs Vosa said bathing and dressing was a two-and-a-half-hour daily process, and the two carers were also required for bedtime routines and other activities during the day.
The “lifetime management system” of special equipment and strategies will continue to evolve according to Matty’s needs.
“We modified the master bedroom and turned the en suite into a large wet room so that we could fit Matty’s chair in there and all of the machinery that he needs,” Mrs Vosa said.
“We’ve done one room, but the house isn’t really wheelchair-friendly.”
To register: 4mattyv@gmail.com
