Matt Patterson

I was born on April 26, 1988 in Erie, Pennsylvania to Holly and Steve Patterson. Growing up in nearby Millcreek, I attended and graduated from McDowell High School, where I focused primarily on broadcast communications and business. In August, 2006, I moved to Orlando, Florida to attend the University of Central Florida, where I have decided to major in Accounting, with a minor in Computer Science. I intend to complete my Masters of Science in Accounting and earn my CPA certification. In February, 2007, I began working at the Walt Disney World Resort in the Outdoor Foods department at the Magic Kingdom, and I continue to work there today.

In my sophomore year of high school, I made the important decision in my life to begin coming out as gay. Since moving to Orlando, I have found myself better able to live openly, both among new acquaintances and old friends from high school, and on October 11, 2007 (National Coming Out Day), I came out to my parents. Despite living more openly, however, I am still not out to my extended family, nor am I out at work. However, I am not opposed to the idea of anyone in those groups knowing, and am open to discussing it; I just don’t feel the need to initiate the discussion. In the past several months, I have begun becoming more active in the gay community, and am now the Director of Communication for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Student Union at UCF, working primarily on the organization’s website (which I am redesigning) and newsletter.

In December, 2007, my life took an unexpected detour when, after visiting a doctor for what I thought to be asthma-related complications, I was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma, Stage IIb, a common form of blood cancer. Specifically, doctors found a tumor in my chest that they measured at roughly 20cm x 14cm. I have since undergone a standard regimen of chemotherapy, which I am happy to report has–so far–presented fewer and less severe side effects than most people normally experience. I believe that the tolerability of the side effects is due largely to my attitude: I do not view myself as someone who is sick, and I do not view myself as a victim. While I cannot say I’m glad that I was affected by cancer, it has most certainly changed the perspective with which I view life, and the people and things in it, and for that I am grateful.