The tragic story of Matias Uribe, a brave 14-year-old boy from Medellín living in the United States He became infected with a bacteria that led to health complications and all of his limbs had to be amputated. His family is in great grief. Colombia and the North American country.
Yet despite a challenging and painful situation, Matías has demonstrated incredible determination and unwavering faith, inspiring and moving many on social media.
They open an account to help Matías
The nightmare began on June 30, when Matías experienced a high fever and redness all over his body. Concerned, his parents immediately took him to the emergency room, not knowing that his life would take an unexpected and devastating turn.
How do you become infected with the “flesh-eating” bacteria that has the United States on alert?
Florida reports 26 infected people, including five deaths attributed to “flesh-eating” bacteria
The bacteria that cause child deaths in Europe
Matías suffered cardiac arrest, which caused his heart to stop beating for seven minutes. Fortunately, doctors managed to stabilize him and he was taken by helicopter to a more complex hospital.
Already at the top hospital, Matías was connected to various medical devices, such as ECMO therapy, mechanical ventilation and dialysis. These devices were essential to saving his life as his initial prognosis was guarded. However, due to the heart failure he had suffered, his extremities were insufficiently supplied with blood for a long period of time, which led to serious consequences.
After a comprehensive examination, specialists discovered that Matías had been infected with a dangerous bacteria known as “type A streptococcus.” Although the exact location where he contracted the disease cannot be determined with certainty, it is believed that it may have occurred while visiting a beach or lake.
“These bacteria invaded his body, first attacking his lungs and then his heart, causing a ‘toxic shock’,” described the doctors in the USA.
As the hours passed, doctors were faced with a difficult and painful decision: amputating Matías’s limbs. Due to the severity of his condition and to better assess the effects of cardiac arrest on his body, it was decided to first amputate his left leg. A week later, faced with the need for more drastic intervention, the decision was made to also amputate his right leg. Eventually both arms had to be intervened.
Despite all the hardships and physical and emotional pain he has endured, Matías’ faith remains intact.
In the intensive care unit, where he awaits two more operations, the boy fondly remembers his sports training and piano lessons. He even injects humor into conversations with his school friends about the topic, reassuring them that he’ll be competing in sports again soon, and surprising them with a new feature on his body: “robotic hands and legs,” as he describes it.
The dream of becoming an engineer
Among Matías’ dreams, his desire to study engineering at the prestigious MIT University in Massachusetts, USA, stands out. Since the age of ten, he has been tirelessly preparing for enlistment, defying doctors’ expectations and demonstrating his determination and perseverance.
Despite his family’s financial difficulties in financing the necessary prostheses and therapies, Matías does not lose hope and clings to his dream of becoming a successful engineer.
Matías’ story has touched many people around the world who have come together to express their support and solidarity. One of the voices that has risen in favor of Matías is that of the famous singer J Balvin, who dedicated some warm words to him. Words of encouragement and admiration.
“Matías, greetings from Jose. Good mood. You are an example of life. Lots of strength, God bless you, lots of light. A hug, always. Carry on, warrior,” the paisa singer told him.
Matías’ family from Antioquia is running a campaign to raise funds and knowledge to help his recovery.
A message of hope to everyone
Although Matías’ fight is far from over, he and his family have hope and unwavering belief that he will prevail. Despite the difficult times and challenges they face, they maintain their faith in God and find comfort in their community and in the love and support of those around them. Matías wants to teach the world that adversity can be an opportunity to strengthen ourselves and shine even more.