Christmas Miracle: I-94 crash victim shares special message with community upon discharge from Memorial Hospital

Matt Reum, of Mishawaka, greets family outside Memorial Hospital of South Bend after he was discharged on Tuesday night.

People around the world have been following the inspiring story of Matt Reum, the Mishawaka man who survived six days trapped in his wrecked truck Christmas week beneath an I-94 bridge in Portage, Ind. Following his harrowing rescue, Matt was flown to Memorial Hospital of South Bend, where he has been receiving care since Dec. 26.

Today, we are so pleased to be able to share a final update on Matt.

After three weeks under our care, Matt was discharged Tuesday evening from Memorial Hospital. He will now enter the next phase of his healing journey at home surrounded by family and friends. We look forward to continuing to care for Matt in outpatient physical rehabilitation at Memorial.

We’d like to share this message from Matt:

To everyone who has been following my story, 

After four weeks since my wreck, and three weeks of being in the hospital, and hours and hours of physical therapy and occupational therapy, I am finally being discharged.

To the members of the community who have supported me mentally and emotionally and have been in my corner, thank you. The support you have given me has been one of the biggest factors in my healing.

To the countless nurses and assistants who have helped feed me, bathe me and have given me medication throughout the day and night, thank you.

To the skilled doctors and everyone who played a hand in my surgeries going off without a hitch, thank you.

Finally, to my social worker and the amazing physical and occupational therapists here at Memorial Hospital, I can never thank you enough for helping me realize I am not any less of a man just because I lost my leg.

Now it is time for me to take my next steps outside of the hospital where I will be tested, tried, and will grow even more. I may be a little slower getting around than I was four weeks ago, but I’m still going to be moving forward toward a life I am proud of, having been given a second chance.

We also want to share with you a video we put together from Matt’s reunion with the good Samaritans and members of the Portage Fire Rescue team who rescued Matt from under the I-94 bridge.