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“Putting Ability in Disability” Screening at the 24th Annual 2023 Newport Beach Film Festival!
HUGE News! The 30 minute short documentary film “Putting Ability in Disability”, which documents Matt Thomas’ epic 2022 hydrobike pedal from Catalina to Newport Beach, has been accepted and will be screened at the 24th Annual 2023 Newport Beach Film Festival.
This is a very big deal. The NBFF is a world-class film festival with over 3000 entries from all over the globe. Only 300 films make the cut and are screened. (There were over 200 entries in the short documentary category alone.) The festival runs from October 12-19th, 2023. Screening time(s) to be announced soon.
In the meantime, watch the official trailer for “Putting Ability in Disability” above.
Learn more about the festival here: Homepage 2022 | Newport Beach Film Festival
Last year was about endurance; this time it’s about speed
Get your portable chairs, sunscreen and banners ready, because Matt Thomas is pedaling on his trusty hydrobike from Catalina to Newport Beach AGAIN – on Saturday, September 16th, 2023. Last year, he was out on the water for over 10 hours fighting heavy wind and surf. This year, weather permitting, he is shooting to complete the crossing in only 7 hours!
Matt is leaving Avalon, Catalina at about 7:30am Saturday morning and plans to arrive at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club in Newport Beach between 3:00-4:00pm.
Plan on more people, more fun, more chase boats and a bigger after-party at the Bahia Corinthian – all hosted by radio legend Jim “Poorman” Trenton. Tune in to the Poorman’s Morning Rush on KOCI 101.5 FM (Or via the internet) from 7-11am, M-F for the latest news and details.
The Matthew Thomas KOCI 101.5 FM Neuron Report Program Archive – Listen Here!
If you can’t listen to The Matthew Thomas Neuron Report live every Friday at 9:20 am on KOCI 101.5 FM with the Poorman, you can check out past shows right here 24-7! New shows will be added every week – or as soon as we can get the audio files and upload them.
Matt is a coma and traumatic brain injury survivor, and along with a wide range of guests, provides unique insights on recovering and living with disabilities:
8-11-23 The Neuron Report with Guest Chris
8-04-23 The Neuron Report with Guest Genevieve Richardson – Speech Pathologist
7/28/23 The Neuron Report with Guest Haley Jefferson
7/21/23 The Neuron Report with Various Callers
7/14/23 The Neuron Report with Guest Mark Terpening (Matt’s Editor)
7/07/23 The Neuron Report with Guest Brandon
6/30/23 The Neuron Report – 32 Year Anniversary of Matt’s Accident
6/16/23 The Neuron Report with Guest Eddie McLean
6/09/23 The Neuron Report – Matt Being Mistaken as Intoxicated
6/02/23 The Neuron Report – Matt Thomas (On the Hydro Bike)
5/26/23 The Neuron Report with Guest Donaldo
5/19/23 The Neuron Report with Guest Ivy
5/12/23 The Neuron Report with Guest Thomas (Motorcycle Accident)
4/28/23 The Neuron Report with Guest Elliot
4/21/23 The Neuron Report – Matt Thomas (MADD Speeches)
4/14/23 The Neuron Report with Guest Nurse Betty
4/07/23 The Neuron Report with Guest Angela Levitt
3/31/23 The Neuron Report with Guest Barbara Evans
3/24/23 The Neuron Report with Guest Joel Pipes
3/17/23 The Neuron Report with Guest Chris
3/10/23 The Neuron Report with Guest Heather Havens
To hear the program live, you can tune in via the radio, or stream through the KOCI website at KOCIRADIO.COM Orange County’s Community Radio Station
Listen to Matt Every Friday on KOCI 101.5 FM!
Matthew Thomas is now on the air every Friday at 9:20 am during the Poorman’s Morning Rush radio show on KOCI 101.5 FM with his new segment called “The Neuron Report”.
As a coma and traumatic brain injury survivor, Matt not only provides unique insights on recovering and living with disabilities, but also offers inspiration to everyone on how to achieve their goals and live their best life – no matter how difficult the task or objective.
Matt is a natural on the radio, and applies his trademark rollicking, freeform style to make even the most serious subject matter entertaining, poignant and informative.
You can tune in via the radio, or stream through the KOCI website at KOCIRADIO.COM Orange County’s Community Radio Station
RECAP: 1st Annual Matthew Thomas Charity Golf Tournament!
It happened and it happened big… by all accounts, the 1st Annual Matthew Thomas Charity Golf Tournament (What’s Your Handicap?) was a smashing success!
The event was held on February 17th, 2023 at the Newport Beach Golf Course & adjacent Original Pizza II Sports Bar, and was completely SOLD OUT. Over 80 golfers of all skill levels joined Matthew and enjoyed a crisp, sunny Friday on the links. Players competed in a shotgun/scramble format for cash prizes and retro-cool custom trophies.
Radio legend Jim “Poorman” Trenton of KOCI 101.5 FM was on hand to host the festivities and actually played golf himself – while wearing eternally fashionable Ugg Boots. It didn’t go very well. Estate Sale Wizard Aime McCrory (aka Mrs. Poorman) organized and ran the silent auction which featured a number of Matthew’s beautifully framed wildlife photos, a new snowboard & accessories, premium Bose headphones, legal services, gift certificates, tickets and more.
A full Italian food buffet and a bunch of pizzas greeted the players after the tournament, who were then loudly serenaded by the musical stylings of The Durbs (thedurbs.com), Bridget Purdy, and a crowd-pleasing performance by the Tasty Nugz.
We’re all looking forward to doing it bigger and better in 2024!
What’s Your Handicap? 1st Annual Matthew Thomas Charity Golf Tournament
Join us for the 1st Annual Matthew Thomas Charity Golf Tournament on Feb 27, 2023, 11:00am at Newport Beach Golf Course to promote awareness and raise funds to assist people with traumatic brain injuries.
In addition to a great cause and a fine day of golf, there will be prizes, raffles, a silent auction, live bands and more! The event will be hosted by radio legend Jim “Poorman” Trention of KOCI 101.5 FM. Entry fee is only $99.95. Visit our Store to sign up!
Talking with The Poorman
Matt and radio legend Jim “Poorman” Trenton of KOCI FM discuss his upcoming world record hydrobike ride attempt.
Watch Matt on NBC Channel 4 Los Angeles!
Before his epic hydrobike ride on August, 20, 2022, Matt was interviewed by NBC 4’s Orange County Reporter Vikki Vargas. Watch the NBC segment here.
Epic Hydrobike Ride from Catalina to Newport!
“Putting Ability in Disability” is a new documentary coming soon about Matt’s EPIC hydrobike ride from Catalina to Newport Beach. Check out the trailer below. The film is being entered in the 2023 Newport Beach Film Festival, so it’s not yet available for general release. Check positive-matters.org frequently for more information and listen to the Poorman’s Morning Rush on KOCI 101.5 FM for updates!