Matthew's story...

Hello, my name is Matthew, I'm 20—21 in July—and I live with my partner. I come from the foster system and have stayed in two group homes that made my teens quite unstable, but they also taught me the independence I needed to blossom into who I am today. I share a very close relationship with my dad; he’s my best friend, while I’ve had no contact with my mother for the past six years.

I have undergone five years of therapy, aside from being the kid pulled aside for help. Through EMDR therapy, I’ve learned to manage my PTSD and anxiety significantly. Additionally, I’ve been diagnosed with autism, emotional dysregulation disorder, and gender dysphoria. I mention this because I want others to know that they are not alone in their struggles and that it’s going to be okay. During high school, I spent a lot of time reflecting and feeling isolated, but once I gained my independence, I truly felt like myself, enhancing my quality of life.

Much of my high school experience was me role-playing online, which I am very passionate about. While some people misunderstand this, the best way to describe it is that it’s a cosplay community exclusively online where you create and design your characters' entire lives. You interact with others in your fandom or crossover and role-play through various scenes. For example, I first played Daredevil, and everyone called me Matt. After I socially transitioned at 14, I chose that as my name, and it has fit perfectly for the past seven years.

I also created a character named Maither Fairfax, a spidersona from the Spiderverse. He is a significant part of me, and I’ve included some early works of him in my drive. I love designing, drawing, writing, and makeup; I am a creative person who sometimes struggles to find opportunities. This creative journey has been a shining light in my life.

Furthermore, I would like to share about my personal Instagram, filthy_gore. I take it incredibly seriously; it feels like my child. It allows me to express my pride, especially since three years ago I would only post characters. Now, I see myself as my own main character, which I find charming. I enjoy editing both pictures and music, and my recent edits feel spiritually connected to my brand and myself.

I love attending raves like Black Noir and Berlin raves, enjoying artists such as Angerfist, Lesss, and Holy Priest. My favorite online artist on SoundCloud is Saraunh0ly. I've built my SoundCloud algorithm over 8-10 years, and while I often struggle to identify song titles since many are symbols, I think it beautifully represents my unique taste.

On another note, I am a fully qualified chef with a Certificate 3 in Commercial Cookery, Certificate 2 in Baking, and Certificate 1 in Hospitality. My passion lies in baking and creating delicious dishes, so if anyone ever needs assistance, I would be more than happy to help.

As previously mentioned, I am a beginner photographer. I’m enrolling in a course to introduce me to the digital side, including photo editing and understanding my camera. Right now, I just have a professional camera and a vision. If someone needs my services, I’d love to help out—sometimes a camera is better than no camera, and it would allow me to learn and develop my skills.

Thank you so much for reading this and allowing me to share my journey, whether it’s just putting myself out there or contributing to the community. I appreciate everyone for building a fun and strong community that advocates for mental health.

PHOTO: @explodingsquidphotography