In the hush of a Salt Lake City cemetery, there's a monument that manages both to break your heart and to ignite hope. It stands quietly, somewhat apart from the grand family headstones — but once you've seen it, you won't forget it. The sculpture shows a boy springing up from his wheelchair, arms reaching skyward, as if in mid-flight. That boy is Matthew Stanford Robison.
A Remarkable Life Against All Odds
Matthew's story is nothing short of remarkable. Born in 1988 to parents Ernest and Anneke, he entered the world with severe disabilities: blind, unable to walk, and able only to speak a few words. The doctors gave his parents a devastating prognosis — they said Matthew might survive only a few hours. But Matthew, with a spirit stronger than anyone expected, remained for ten and a half incredible years.
The early years were filled with challenges, but they were also filled with moments of deep love, laughter, and an unexplainable inner light. Despite what he could not do, Matthew left a deep impression on everyone he met, offering smiles in the midst of hardship and radiating a hope that could not be darkened by circumstance.
A Father's Vision Becomes Reality
When Matthew passed away at the age of 10, his parents wanted to honor his courage and the impact he'd made in a way that spoke to both his struggles and his victories. The result is one of the most moving memorials you'll find anywhere: a life-size bronze statue of Matthew, forever captured in the moment of rising from his wheelchair, triumphant and free.
The story behind the statue is deeply moving. Matthew's father, Ernest, actually designed the monument himself. For Matthew's loved ones — and for thousands who have discovered the story over the years — the image of him leaving his wheelchair behind has become a powerful symbol. The memorial does not deny the pain or the limits Matthew lived with, but insists we recognize the boundless nature of his spirit.
A Universal Message of Hope
Some visitors leave flowers or small trinkets at Matthew's grave. Others simply pause in silent reflection. To all, the monument shares a message: our bodies may hold us back, but our souls are not contained by physical boundaries. Matthew came into the world as a miracle and he left as one.
Today, Matthew rests peacefully, with no pain, no more limitations — just the freedom every child deserves. His legacy continues through the foundation his parents established to support families coping with disabilities, turning sorrow into hope for others.
The memorial stands not just as a remembrance of Matthew, but as a universal reminder. Some spirits are so vast that even the smallest body cannot contain them. And even the shortest life can radiate light that touches many.
If you ever find yourself in Salt Lake City, perhaps make time to visit this monument. Stand close, take a moment, and let yourself be inspired by Matthew's flight toward the sky.
