Matt Hampson, our Patron
Matt Hampson is now known all over the country as the inspirational figure who has given hope to people going through a rough period in their lives, the guy who got injured but wouldn’t take it lying down. How did he become this iconic figure and how did he come to be SpecialEffect’s Patron?
Only just under two years ago, he was an emerging talent in the world of rugby, recognized by the respected as having the capability to go all the way. Matt Hampson had grown up in Rutland and was a typical boy – always dirty, always getting into trouble, always way too much energy for his own good. His Mother Anne and Father Phil were always there to support him, to help him on his way and always full of encouragement.
Matt attended King Edward 7th in Melton Mowbray and excelled in PE and in particular rugby. Enjoying the sport so much, he joined Syston Rugby club and was part of the team that achieved winning the Sanyo Cup national tournament at Twickenham, a team that also had a five-season championship winning streak.
Tigers Academy soon took note of Matt and he was selected to join them at the Under 16 level. He then went to QE college in Leicester where he balanced college with full-time training and quickly established himself as prop forward who was capable of holding his own in first team training - with the likes of British Lion Graham Rowntree, World Cup winner Julian White and England prop Darren Garforth at the club, this was no mean feat. Off the pitch Hambo liked nothing more than relaxing with his mates, whether at the cinema or out on a Saturday night with the boys. Some things never change!
Matt was progressing nicely through the junior England levels notching up England U18 schools and England Under 19 caps. It was inevitable that he would make the England U21 squad, and his performances impressed Nigel Redman and Jim Mallinder and lead to him being the first-choice prop in the team.
Then came the moment that changed his life. “He (Matt Hampson) remembers the call and he remembers the shove and he remembers the scrum collapsing, just as it had many times before. He remembers going down and his feet being lifted off the ground and feeling suddenly unable to breathe as his friends piled on top of him.” (The Times, 12 March 2006). Matt suffered a dislocation in his neck which had trapped his spinal cord. It has left him paralyzed from the neck down and more determined than ever from the neck up. It's Matt’s spirit and bravery that has earned him such recognition and has pulled together the rugby world who want to take care of one of their own.
He was looked after by the wonderful team at Stoke Mandeville hospital who, after just over a year of care, ensured he was well enough to return home. After Matt's injury, the Leicester Tigers team spearheaded fundraising for Matt including the purchase of a computer for use at home. Matt's mum, Ann Hampson, was trying to find the right equipment for him. She contacted Dr Mick Donegan, a leading specialist in Assistive Technology, who made a visit to Matt in order to collaborate with the professionals at Stoke Mandeville to advise on the kinds of cutting edge technology that might be of help. Mick was extremely impressed and moved by Matt's courage and determination and, since that visit, Mick and Matt became good friends. Since Matt arrived home, Mick has continued to support his use of technology and he is now set up with a computer system that enables him to control the computer simply by head movement. Mick himself wrote the software interface that Matt uses in order to control the computer and Matt uses it to write, send emails, text messages, surf the web and, in fact, do more or less everything that anyone else can on the computer.
Matt is now using this technology very successfully. He has now successfully set up his own business, with a new website (www.matthampson.co.uk) selling merchandise with the Matt Hampson label. He is now fired up and ready to help other people with disabilities, too. He has teamed up with Mick Donegan to form this new charity, SpecialEffect. At the moment, there is no specialist charity with a specific emphasis on technology for leisure and creativity for people with disabilities, even though they are proven benefits such as enhanced self-esteem, motivation and social integration - not to mention simply getting more fun out of ife!
Dr Mick Donegan, Director of SpecialEffect, says "It was fantastic news for everyone when Matt agreed to join forces by becoming the Patron of SpecialEffect. We can't think of anyone who could be a more genuinely inspiring example to the many young people that we support. Matt has already been a huge help with providing contacts and advice and he is very keen to become ever more actively involved in the charity in the future."
email info@specialeffect.org.uk or contact us by telephone on 01608 811909 or 0791 807 7177.
Registered Charity No 1121004