Content Facilitator Matthew Russell
Each week, a Rapidian staffer will publish a piece related to goings-on at The Rapidian, developments in the world of citizen journalism and tips for making the most of the site. Click here for past editorials.
From The Rapidian staff: I visited Matt Russell at the hospital this morning. You may have already heard about his moped accident because even though The Rapidian's content facilitator is confined to a hospital bed, he's been tweeting and Facebooking as much as ever.
Earlier today, we published a news piece on what happened. According to Matt, he was heading home on Saturday night, going west on Fulton, when a car tried to pass him. The rain was pounding, resulting in decreased visibility. Matt swerved to avoid the encroaching vehicle and crashed into a parked vehicle. He was wearing a helmet, but the whereabouts of his moped (and one shoe) are unknown.
Encouraging short term forecasts say he'll likely be out of the hospital midweek, while complete recovery may take a year or more.
At The Rapidian, Matt's work is often behind-the-scenes, but you know him through our Twitter account, @TheRapidian. Matt keeps our front page fresh, writes editorials for The Rapidian on a regular basis and has also recently organized press pits. As reporters, you've received weekly story leads. Here at the Rapidian and the Community Media Center, we will be doing our best to minimize the effects of Matt's accident on daily Rapidian operations, but please bear with us if we miss a beat here and there.
On top of being The Rapidian's content facilitator, Matt is also a news and web editor for The Advance and founder of Wednesday Evening Cookies, a vegan cookie delivery service. As a visible and active contributor to the community, we'll all be feeling his absence for a little while (though not his social media one; he may have a broken arm, but he's putting his iPhone to task).
Despite everything, spirits are holding. At one point, Matt quipped to us to get Troy Reimink on the phone. Troy is a prominent moped advocate in Grand Rapids known for organizing group moped rides.
I need to ask how to be honorably discharged from the Moped Navy, Matt had said.
Matt is in room 4027 at Spectrum Butterworth Hospital, a spacious room ready for the filling with visitors. All are welcome between 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Any information leading to the whereabouts of his moped and shoe would be welcomed.
UPDATE (June 10): Matt has been moved to Metro Health Hospital at Byron Center. You can visit him in room 315.
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Comments
Thanks, Denise for the update on Matt.
I hope his recovery is fast and that he doesn't have to stay away from The Rapidian and the cookies for too long!
well he must be doing better, they already moved him to antoher hospital by the time we came by for the vegan potluck in his room today... either that or he really made them mad... good luck Matt, get well soon
scott n jewly
Doing better, of course!
Someone should plan another potluck in his honor soon!
I was thinking about planning a potluck for Sunday noontime or evening, but Metro's kind of far. Can we get some drivers to volunteer for carpooling?