Inspiration. It’s a word that Mark Mather hears from strangers just about every day.
Mather is a college student who lost his arms and legs because of complications from an extreme case of meningitis that could have taken his life.
Creative Enz salon in Aurora wants to help Mather keep moving and inspiring people around Colorado.
The salon held a fundraiser Sunday to pay for home improvements so he can use his wheelchair.
“It just makes me feel there is goodwill out there,” Mather said.
Mather’s mother, Kathy, said she is amazed by the support and the $41,000 the community has given to her son. The salon’s fundraiser added $3,800 to that.
“It makes it easier. It’s almost like I’m not alone,” she said.
Hairstylist Kim Paul feels inspired and a little weepy when she looks at Mather.
“We all have our little boo-hoo parties, and to see how brave he is at 20 years old is amazing,” she said.
The salon sold tickets for $1 that were entered in a drawing for $2,500 in prizes donated by two dozen local businesses.
“I didn’t let any of my clients leave until they bought one,” hairstylist Kelly King said.
Just next door they set up a garage sale, complete with donations from clients and expansive, brightly colored posters declaring, “We love you Mark.” The signs urged Mather to “keep on shining.”
Although he said he may feel low “for a minute or two” on rare occasions, he is nearly always positive about his situation.
“I’m happy to be here,” he said. “I’m just enjoying everything a lot more.”
Mather is making progress in his twice-weekly physical therapy sessions. He is excited about learning how to do things with his mouth that he would normally do with his hands, such as write.
He will be getting back to school in the spring and plans to take online classes through Metropolitan State College.
He has prosthetic arms with hooks on the ends of them, but can’t use them yet because his wounds are still too sensitive.
Mather wants to educate people, particularly college students, about the dangers of meningitis and to encourage them to get vaccinated.
Although Mather doesn’t know how he got sick, doctors know meningitis is spread through saliva and mucus.
Mather stays positive and doesn’t dwell on the cards life dealt him.
“Random things happen,” he said. “I guess it’s just the spice of life and sometimes things are a little too spicy.”
Staff writer Karissa Marcum can be reached at 303-954-1858 or at kmarcum@denverpost.com.
