Matias Ferreira, an immigrant from Montevideo, Uruguay moved to Atlanta, Georgia with his Mom, Dad, and two brothers in 1996 in pursuit of the American Dream. On 09/11/2001, Matias was sitting in 7th grade Science class as he watched the twin towers collapse on TV, not realizing that his goal to become a United States Marine was going to become a reality a lot sooner than he thought. Upon graduating from Morrow Sr. High School in 2007, Matias Ferreira joined the United States Marine Corps as a Machine Gunner assigned to 1st Battalion 8th Marines 2nd Marine Division, stationed in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. During a combat tour (Operation Enduring Freedom) to Helmand Province, Afghanistan in 2010, Matias stepped on an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) causing him to lose both legs below the knees, amongst other injuries. Matias was awarded the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon and Navy Unit Citation amongst other military awards. During a year and a half of rehabilitation at Walter Reed Army Medical Center; Matias competed in numerous races to include The Navy 5 Miler, Army 10 Miler, Marine Corps Marathon, Detroit Marathon, New York City Marathon, Disney Marathon and several others. Matias is also part of an all Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team that competes all year around against Military, First Responders and Celebrity teams spreading the message that “Life Without Limbs Is Limitless.” Matias enjoys volunteering with numerous non for profit organizations that focus on rehabilitation, empowering your “New Normal,” and renewing your faith. Most of these non for profit organizations are involved with Adaptive Sports, Military Veterans, Children with Physical Disabilities and Law Enforcement Officers. Matias Ferreira is currently an active Police Officer with the Suffolk County Police Department in Suffolk County, New York.
