Matthew Jeffers

According to Matthew Jeffers, “The only disability in life is a bad attitude. A positive attitude is the most powerful combatant to life’s misfortunes.” At 4-feet-2 inches, he has endured 20 life-threatening surgeries. Using his own struggles to put the fear of overcoming obstacles into perspective, Jeffers helps audiences see their own potential. “I sat down for 20 minutes and see what I did. Imagine what would happen if everybody sat down and shared their story.” He believes that life is like a play, and while you can’t always choose the actors or plot points in your story, you are very much in control of two things – the theme and your costume. Jeffers’ theme is attitude, and his costume is the impenetrable armor of a positive outlook. Armor, of course, only works if you wear it. Jeffers share stories about his incredible journey and how he learned that his positive attitude was the most important aspect of his story. Quoting author Charles Swindoll he said, “I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you. We are in charge of our attitudes.” After hearing his inspirational message, challenges no longer seem insurmountable; Jeffers’ difficult circumstances never dampened his exuberance for life. Through stories about his life, medical struggles, and meetings and influence with the Ravens, he demonstrates that everyone has an incredible story to share, a play that can have whatever meaning its playwright chooses.