Who I Am & What I’ve Been Through
I’m Matthew Raynor — a quadriplegic full-stack developer, artist, and writer who survived a catastrophic diving accident that left me paralyzed from the chest down.
Before that day, I was a commercial fisherman working off the coast of Montauk, living wild and braving storms. A dive meant to ease tendonitis ended my mobility — but began my rebirth. I taught myself how to use a computer with two styluses and voice commands. From that place of near-total limitation, I rebuilt my life with code, creativity, and spiritual grit.
Want to dive deeper into my story? Explore my writing on my blog and Substack:
What I Do – Art, Writing & Press
I’m a multidisciplinary creator. My drone and landscape photography becomes fine art prints. My memoir, Before Me After Me, documents my physical and spiritual transformation. My work has been shown in local art shows and featured in the press — including National Fisherman, The James Lane Post, The Southampton Press, and more — not just for surviving, but for creating beauty in the aftermath.
Photography & Art – Before and After
Before my accident, I took photos from fishing boats and during my travels — capturing wild seascapes and distant places. After I became paralyzed, I adapted through drone photography.
Aerial shots gave me a way to keep creating — and a way to rise above. I’ve shown my work in pop-up art fairs and galleries across Long Island. Now, I offer custom drone photography and aluminum prints.
What I Build – Programming Projects
I’m a self-taught full-stack developer specializing in Django and Python. I built:
- A logistics system for an art moving company (EJ Art Mover)
- A full e-commerce store for selling my book and artwork with an AI chatbot
- A fundraiser website to raise money so I can transition from a nursing home
All this with zero hand function. Just styluses, voice commands, and unstoppable determination. If you need a custom application for your business — or even a simple website — I’d love to help.
What I Inspire – Motivational Work
My mission is to inspire others who are in dark places. I share raw reflections on disability, recovery, and faith through Substack, TikTok, and YouTube. I’ve hosted recovery meetings in a nursing home and write honestly about Buddhism, trauma, spiritual growth, and the power of discipline. I mix humor and heart to help others find their light — because I had to find mine the hard way, too.
For funny and motivational videos, check out my TikTok:
How to Help
I’m working toward moving out of the nursing home and rebuilding my life in the community. Here’s how you can support that journey:
- 🏠 Housing: I’m looking for an accessible apartment within 30 miles of Southampton, NY. The space must allow 24/7 caregiving and either be pre-adapted or open to reasonable modifications.
- 🧑⚕️ Care: I need daily help with physical care — especially someone trained or willing to be trained to assist with medication and hygiene, including suppository administration.
- 💡 Fundraiser: My fundraiser helps cover moving costs, accessibility modifications, and essentials for independent living.
Where I Show Up – Online
Across platforms, I share stories of resilience, code, art, and laughter. Find me at: