Mathew Rudes Brings His Magic to LAPD Devonshire Station

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Tuesday, March 9, 1999

Mathew Rudes Brings His Magic to LAPD Devonshire Station

Courage has a way of finding the Los Angeles Police Department. On Thursday, March 11, 1999, courage will find LAPD’s Devonshire station in the person of twelve year old Matt Rudes. Matt, who was featured in the Los Angeles Times article "Mathew’s Magic" (May 3, 1998, LA Times Valley Edition, Scott Harris), has a rare affliction known as Marfan syndrome. Marfan syndrome is caused by a genetic mutation that weakens the connections between tissues. He experiences spinal convulsions, intermittent paralysis, seizures and chest pains. Matt has undergone ten (10) surgeries to help him cope with the intense physical pain that has been the legacy of this affliction.

It was during these series of surgeries that Matt developed his magic in the form of writing. At twelve years old, Matt has already finished a 175-page adventure novel as well as writing the accounts of his treatment. Matt stated in a letter to LAPD’s Sergeant Dan Mastro that he is also currently working on other projects and wants to publish a book that describes his experiences. Matt wrote, "The one positive thing that I hope I can accomplish in spite of my debilitating pain attacks is to write about them, and help people to understand the true experience of pain and what it is like to live with it."

Just last week, Mathew was hospitalized due to serious complications with his condition and his survival was in question. When Devonshire Area Police heard about this complication, they contacted Mathew’s mother, Carol Rudes and asked her if they could help. Mrs. Rudes communicated her son’s desire to tour Devonshire Station and to ride in a police car.

Therefore, on Thursday, March 11, 1999 , at 10:30 am, Captain Joe Curreri, Sergeant Mastro and a host of LA’s finest will welcome Mathew to Devonshire division where he will get a chance to tour the station, see some of LAPD’s specialized equipment and then take a ride in a black and white.

The officers at Devonshire hope this event will help get the word out about a new fund that has been established at the UCLA Pediatric Pain Program to support research of the treatment of chronic pain in children and adolescents with debilitating disease and to augment Mathew’s ground breaking treatments. Anyone who wants to make contributions to the fund should make checks payable to UC Regents (in care of The Pediatric Pain Program) with a letter indicating the money is for, "The Rudes Fund."

The address is:
22-464 MDCC
10833 Le Cont
Los Angeles, CA 90095-7152

For more information contact Sergeant Dan Mastro, Devonshire Area at 818-756-8285.

For Release 12:15 pm PST
March 9, 1999