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KAYSVILLE — A local author is reaching out to help a friend by donating some of the proceeds from his recently published book to a skateboarder who was paralyzed in 2012.
At 16 years old, Matarr Hankey experienced a brain bleed caused by an arteriovenous malformation, which is an "abnormal, snarled tangles of blood vessels that cause multiple irregular connections between the arteries and veins." The former skateboarder is now in a power wheelchair.
In 2014, Hankey spent a month at a hyperbaric oxygen and conductive education center called Sara’s Garden.
“My experience was really good and hopeful. The conductive ed is like really intense physical therapy,” Hankey said. “It hurt, but I wanna go back.”
Unfortunately, Hankey was unable to stay longer at Sara’s Garden due to financial difficulties.
Kaysville author Josh Olsen met Hankey through a skateboarding group on Facebook. He said he saw an opportunity to help his friend, and is donating more than two weeks worth of proceeds from his book, “The Mountain Town.”
Olson's book is about "an isolated town, far within the icy mountains, an unspeakable horror roams the woods,” the book’s description on Amazon.com says. “A dark past drives wedges between the people who must unite if there is to be any hope to save the town and its isolated inhabitants. A horror novel about the monsters we must face and the monsters within.”
Olsen, also a skateboarder, is donating to Hankey’s Sara’s Garden fund* so he can walk again.
“You can ask any skateboarder … it’s a sport that’s full of camaraderie,” Olsen said. “It’s all about building your friends up … that’s what really pushes everybody to the next level in the sport is seeing your friends overcome their boundaries with it. ... You also kind of look out for each other.”
He said seeing a fellow skateboarder struggling to get back on his board but having the will to try and get back on inspired him to help Hankey. Hankey said he wants to go back to Sara’s Garden for a year.
“I’m stoked Josh is donating the money for my therapy, it feels good someone cares,” Hankey said. “I just hope we can raise some more money, every bit helps.”
Also helping with Hankey’s Sara’s Garden fund is The Hope for Hankey Campaign that will lilkely launch this summer. To find out more, watch the trailer. To purchase “The Mountain Town,” visit Amazon.com. Proceeds will go toward Hankey until April 8.
*KSL.com does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
