New documentary on Arik Matson, Waseca officer who sustained severe brain injury
A new documentary follows the story of former Waseca police officer Arik Matson's recovery from a traumatic brain injury, which involved a duck hunt off the coast of Alaska. The film publicly premiered on Jan. 6, four years after Matson was shot while on duty.
Courtesy of Hometown Hero Outdoors
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It’s been three years since Waseca police officer and father of two Arik Matson was shot while on duty. He survived, but sustained severe injuries to his brain.
A new documentary follows Arik and his wife Megan Matson through the process of healing. It shows how the physical therapy was exhausting and frustrating at times, but Arik had an extra motivator. Hometown Hero Outdoors, a non-profit based in Stillwater, had promised to take him to the Bering Sea in Alaska.
Arik and Megan Matson joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to talk about the film and their family’s journey.
Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.
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Audio transcript
CATHY WURZER: It's Minnesota Now. I'm Cathy Wurzer. It's been four years since Waseca police officer and the father of two, Arik Matson, was shot while on duty. He survived but sustained severe injuries to his brain.
A new documentary follows Arik and his wife, Megan Matson, through the process of healing. It shows how Arik had an extra motivator to push him through many months of physical therapy that was exhausting and frustrating at times. Hometown Hero Outdoors is a nonprofit based in Stillwater, and that nonprofit had promised to take him on a hunting trip to the Bering Sea in Alaska.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
MEGAN MATSON: When HHO came into the picture and offered Arik his dream hunt, he was willing to do everything and anything to come home. He didn't start to think, king eider in Alaska, that's what I want.
ARIK MATSON: I heard the doctors want to do--
FRIEND: From seeing Arik in the hospital that night, he was almost completely unrecognizable. Somehow, he continues to push forward, and he keeps going, and he doesn't give up.
CATHY WURZER: Now, by the way, for folks not familiar, the king eider duck is beautiful. It's also one of the most rare of birds in North America. We're going to talk about that. Right now, Arik and Megan Matson are joining us to talk about the film and their family's journey. Thank you so much for making the time, Arik and Megan.
ARIK MATSON: Absolutely. Good morning, everybody.
MEGAN MATSON: Hello. Thank you for having us.
CATHY WURZER: Hi. I have to say, Arik, not to bring up difficult memories, but it was January 6 of 2020 when you were shot in the head by that suspect. And that, of course, is a traumatic anniversary. But you call the anniversary you're alive day. You got a second chance at life.
ARIK MATSON: Correct.
CATHY WURZER: And what's that like?
ARIK MATSON: Just realizing that-- or thankful that God wasn't ready for me yet, and I have more purpose here in my life still.
CATHY WURZER: And after watching that documentary, oh, my goodness, you have come an incredible way in your recovery. How do you look at it?
ARIK MATSON: It was just a huge motivator that I had to keep going so I could go on this lifetime hunt and not get all the support and not have a successful hunt out there.
CATHY WURZER: Mm-hmm. So, Megan, how do you look at Arik's recovery so far?
MEGAN MATSON: I look at Arik's recovery as a miracle. The things that he has been able to accomplish in the last four years is outstanding. And I'm just so proud of how far he has come and that he hasn't given up.
CATHY WURZER: And I know it's hard, Arik. Oh, I can't even imagine the physical therapy.
ARIK MATSON: Yeah, the toughest thing was learning how to walk again.
CATHY WURZER: And how long did that take, Arik?
MEGAN MATSON: I would say about seven months it took him. But even then and now, he still struggles with long-distance walks, or let's say he's just having a really bad off day.
CATHY WURZER: Sure. As you were recovering, the folks from the nonprofit I mentioned in the introduction, Hometown Hero Outdoors, said, hey, we'll send you on a king eider duck hunt as a goal to help in the recovery. Arik, how did it help you push forward each day?
ARIK MATSON: Because it was always a goal of mine once I retired to go on this hunt. I knew that it was finally happening.
MEGAN MATSON: And I would say, you probably knew what the conditions were going to be out there, being that extravagant waterfowl hunter you are. So you knew what you had to prepare yourself for.
ARIK MATSON: Yes.
MEGAN MATSON: Yes.
CATHY WURZER: Now, for folks who don't know, a king eider, as I mentioned, in the introduction, they're so beautiful. Oh, my goodness. Can you explain what makes them so special?
ARIK MATSON: I think the beauty of them and that they survive in some of the most treacherous conditions in North America. So just the challenge of going there and harvesting them is extremely high.
CATHY WURZER: Wow. And I know that you're a duck hunter. You've been duck hunting for years and years.
ARIK MATSON: Correct.
CATHY WURZER: Would you say you're obsessed?
ARIK MATSON: Yeah, Megan found out my obsession when we moved last year, and she had to load up all my decoys to move. She goes, I didn't realize you had that many decoys. I'm like, oh, I've always had that many.
CATHY WURZER: [LAUGHS] So, Megan, what did you think about the hunt?
MEGAN MATSON: I thought the hunt was a lot different than here back at home. The waves alone were going to be hard enough for him. But with his vision of left-side neglect and just not being able to move the left side of his body, it was remarkable to be able to watch it on the documentary and just feel like you were there with him and being able to celebrate with him.
CATHY WURZER: Were you a little nervous that he'd get hurt or be disappointed?
MEGAN MATSON: I was nervous that he would be disappointed. Actually, when I received the phone call that he did shoot the duck, I was like, but did you really shoot it or did somebody else shoot it? Is that how this is going to go?
And they were like, no, we caught it on film. He literally shot the duck. And I was like, that is insane. I should have never second guessed it, but [CHUCKLES] he still has it in there. He's still a hunter, a waterfall hunter.
CATHY WURZER: I hear that the guide even teared up when they said they were coming in over the radio. I can only imagine. I'm sure there are many, many people who were pretty emotional about this. Arik, what was it like out there?
ARIK MATSON: Just when it finally went down, I was like, yes, everybody can relax now, and I've accomplished what I came here to do.
MEGAN MATSON: But before that, how was it, the waves, the wind, the temperature, all of it?
ARIK MATSON: Yeah, it was just rough out there in the waves because it was 10-foot rollers all morning.
CATHY WURZER: Ugh. Oh, my goodness. So you did this hunt, which was a big, big goal of yours. And I'm so pleased that you got to live a dream. Arik, if I could ask-- obviously, you're still going through therapy-- where are you finding some meaning in your life right now?
ARIK MATSON: I'm just trying to be a motivation for other police officers and my daughters that even when life knocks you down, you can't just roll over and die. You got to keep going.
CATHY WURZER: And, Megan, what's life like for you right now?
MEGAN MATSON: Life is better than it was four years ago, but it still is a struggle every day. We're reminded every day by what happened to us, but with one negativity, we always try and find a positivity. And it could have been just so much worse.
Arik could be so much more disabled than he is. And so I'm grateful for how he has recovered over these last four years. And we're getting through it day by day. We're getting through it.
CATHY WURZER: That's how you do it. It's day by day, one foot in front of the other. Now, let's talk about the movie because I've done enough work in my career where I've done documentaries, and it can be kind of intrusive to have a camera following you all the time. What was that like?
MEGAN MATSON: The crew was very-- they gave us our space, for sure. And we got to know them actually really well for a couple of months before they really started being involved in our daily lives. And they're a really good group of guys, Rogue Production, so it was all right. We were willing to open up and share our story.
CATHY WURZER: And, Arik, when you mentioned that you're also trying to be a role model for other officers who may have also gotten injured while in the line of duty, what do you think the film says to other officers?
ARIK MATSON: If you're a good person, good things will come to you. And if you have a positive attitude, you can accomplish anything you can come up with for an idea.
CATHY WURZER: So, by the way, when it comes to the movie and you're watching yourself on the big screen there-- you've had public and private screenings in Owatonna over the weekend, I know-- what was it like to watch your doctor, your friends, the whole community talking about what you mean to them?
ARIK MATSON: It was just very heartwarming that all these people still support me through all of this and to see my wife and kids up there too.
CATHY WURZER: Oh, I bet that was. Megan, what'd you think?
MEGAN MATSON: It was surreal. To add on to Arik's answer, he had stated when we got into the vehicle after watching it for the first time as well with everybody that he's motivated by his own story and by what all of-- everybody has been saying about him, that it just has remotivated him.
CATHY WURZER: Oh, I'm glad to hear that. And, Arik, when you say you're remotivated, so what might the new year look like for you?
ARIK MATSON: One goal I accomplished on my birthday in August was I went skydiving.
CATHY WURZER: Oh. [LAUGHS] Wow.
MEGAN MATSON: So you want to go scuba diving now, right?
ARIK MATSON: I think so, yeah.
CATHY WURZER: Wow.
MEGAN MATSON: Yo.
CATHY WURZER: That would be amazing. I hope you do get to do that. And I think knowing you and just what I've seen in the movie, I think it's absolutely something you're going to go ahead and achieve. That's for sure. Oh, my goodness. I so appreciate both of you joining us here today. Your story really is one that is inspiring, and thanks for sharing it.
MEGAN MATSON: Absolutely.
ARIK MATSON: Yes, thank you so much for all the positive feedback on the documentary and everybody for coming out and supporting and watching it.
CATHY WURZER: That was Arik and Megan Matson. Their story is the focus of a new documentary called The Weight of the Crown. It's showing at Stillwater High School January 13 at 7:30 PM. And it is streaming right now on YouTube.
By the way, Arik was the first to receive this legacy hunting trip from the organization Hometown Hero Outdoors. Arik helped choose the next recipient, Doug Shreve, who lives in Texas. And proceeds from the ticket sales of the documentary showing will support this next HHO hunt. Details, by the way, MPRNews.org.
A new documentary follows Arik and his wife, Megan Matson, through the process of healing. It shows how Arik had an extra motivator to push him through many months of physical therapy that was exhausting and frustrating at times. Hometown Hero Outdoors is a nonprofit based in Stillwater, and that nonprofit had promised to take him on a hunting trip to the Bering Sea in Alaska.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
MEGAN MATSON: When HHO came into the picture and offered Arik his dream hunt, he was willing to do everything and anything to come home. He didn't start to think, king eider in Alaska, that's what I want.
ARIK MATSON: I heard the doctors want to do--
FRIEND: From seeing Arik in the hospital that night, he was almost completely unrecognizable. Somehow, he continues to push forward, and he keeps going, and he doesn't give up.
CATHY WURZER: Now, by the way, for folks not familiar, the king eider duck is beautiful. It's also one of the most rare of birds in North America. We're going to talk about that. Right now, Arik and Megan Matson are joining us to talk about the film and their family's journey. Thank you so much for making the time, Arik and Megan.
ARIK MATSON: Absolutely. Good morning, everybody.
MEGAN MATSON: Hello. Thank you for having us.
CATHY WURZER: Hi. I have to say, Arik, not to bring up difficult memories, but it was January 6 of 2020 when you were shot in the head by that suspect. And that, of course, is a traumatic anniversary. But you call the anniversary you're alive day. You got a second chance at life.
ARIK MATSON: Correct.
CATHY WURZER: And what's that like?
ARIK MATSON: Just realizing that-- or thankful that God wasn't ready for me yet, and I have more purpose here in my life still.
CATHY WURZER: And after watching that documentary, oh, my goodness, you have come an incredible way in your recovery. How do you look at it?
ARIK MATSON: It was just a huge motivator that I had to keep going so I could go on this lifetime hunt and not get all the support and not have a successful hunt out there.
CATHY WURZER: Mm-hmm. So, Megan, how do you look at Arik's recovery so far?
MEGAN MATSON: I look at Arik's recovery as a miracle. The things that he has been able to accomplish in the last four years is outstanding. And I'm just so proud of how far he has come and that he hasn't given up.
CATHY WURZER: And I know it's hard, Arik. Oh, I can't even imagine the physical therapy.
ARIK MATSON: Yeah, the toughest thing was learning how to walk again.
CATHY WURZER: And how long did that take, Arik?
MEGAN MATSON: I would say about seven months it took him. But even then and now, he still struggles with long-distance walks, or let's say he's just having a really bad off day.
CATHY WURZER: Sure. As you were recovering, the folks from the nonprofit I mentioned in the introduction, Hometown Hero Outdoors, said, hey, we'll send you on a king eider duck hunt as a goal to help in the recovery. Arik, how did it help you push forward each day?
ARIK MATSON: Because it was always a goal of mine once I retired to go on this hunt. I knew that it was finally happening.
MEGAN MATSON: And I would say, you probably knew what the conditions were going to be out there, being that extravagant waterfowl hunter you are. So you knew what you had to prepare yourself for.
ARIK MATSON: Yes.
MEGAN MATSON: Yes.
CATHY WURZER: Now, for folks who don't know, a king eider, as I mentioned, in the introduction, they're so beautiful. Oh, my goodness. Can you explain what makes them so special?
ARIK MATSON: I think the beauty of them and that they survive in some of the most treacherous conditions in North America. So just the challenge of going there and harvesting them is extremely high.
CATHY WURZER: Wow. And I know that you're a duck hunter. You've been duck hunting for years and years.
ARIK MATSON: Correct.
CATHY WURZER: Would you say you're obsessed?
ARIK MATSON: Yeah, Megan found out my obsession when we moved last year, and she had to load up all my decoys to move. She goes, I didn't realize you had that many decoys. I'm like, oh, I've always had that many.
CATHY WURZER: [LAUGHS] So, Megan, what did you think about the hunt?
MEGAN MATSON: I thought the hunt was a lot different than here back at home. The waves alone were going to be hard enough for him. But with his vision of left-side neglect and just not being able to move the left side of his body, it was remarkable to be able to watch it on the documentary and just feel like you were there with him and being able to celebrate with him.
CATHY WURZER: Were you a little nervous that he'd get hurt or be disappointed?
MEGAN MATSON: I was nervous that he would be disappointed. Actually, when I received the phone call that he did shoot the duck, I was like, but did you really shoot it or did somebody else shoot it? Is that how this is going to go?
And they were like, no, we caught it on film. He literally shot the duck. And I was like, that is insane. I should have never second guessed it, but [CHUCKLES] he still has it in there. He's still a hunter, a waterfall hunter.
CATHY WURZER: I hear that the guide even teared up when they said they were coming in over the radio. I can only imagine. I'm sure there are many, many people who were pretty emotional about this. Arik, what was it like out there?
ARIK MATSON: Just when it finally went down, I was like, yes, everybody can relax now, and I've accomplished what I came here to do.
MEGAN MATSON: But before that, how was it, the waves, the wind, the temperature, all of it?
ARIK MATSON: Yeah, it was just rough out there in the waves because it was 10-foot rollers all morning.
CATHY WURZER: Ugh. Oh, my goodness. So you did this hunt, which was a big, big goal of yours. And I'm so pleased that you got to live a dream. Arik, if I could ask-- obviously, you're still going through therapy-- where are you finding some meaning in your life right now?
ARIK MATSON: I'm just trying to be a motivation for other police officers and my daughters that even when life knocks you down, you can't just roll over and die. You got to keep going.
CATHY WURZER: And, Megan, what's life like for you right now?
MEGAN MATSON: Life is better than it was four years ago, but it still is a struggle every day. We're reminded every day by what happened to us, but with one negativity, we always try and find a positivity. And it could have been just so much worse.
Arik could be so much more disabled than he is. And so I'm grateful for how he has recovered over these last four years. And we're getting through it day by day. We're getting through it.
CATHY WURZER: That's how you do it. It's day by day, one foot in front of the other. Now, let's talk about the movie because I've done enough work in my career where I've done documentaries, and it can be kind of intrusive to have a camera following you all the time. What was that like?
MEGAN MATSON: The crew was very-- they gave us our space, for sure. And we got to know them actually really well for a couple of months before they really started being involved in our daily lives. And they're a really good group of guys, Rogue Production, so it was all right. We were willing to open up and share our story.
CATHY WURZER: And, Arik, when you mentioned that you're also trying to be a role model for other officers who may have also gotten injured while in the line of duty, what do you think the film says to other officers?
ARIK MATSON: If you're a good person, good things will come to you. And if you have a positive attitude, you can accomplish anything you can come up with for an idea.
CATHY WURZER: So, by the way, when it comes to the movie and you're watching yourself on the big screen there-- you've had public and private screenings in Owatonna over the weekend, I know-- what was it like to watch your doctor, your friends, the whole community talking about what you mean to them?
ARIK MATSON: It was just very heartwarming that all these people still support me through all of this and to see my wife and kids up there too.
CATHY WURZER: Oh, I bet that was. Megan, what'd you think?
MEGAN MATSON: It was surreal. To add on to Arik's answer, he had stated when we got into the vehicle after watching it for the first time as well with everybody that he's motivated by his own story and by what all of-- everybody has been saying about him, that it just has remotivated him.
CATHY WURZER: Oh, I'm glad to hear that. And, Arik, when you say you're remotivated, so what might the new year look like for you?
ARIK MATSON: One goal I accomplished on my birthday in August was I went skydiving.
CATHY WURZER: Oh. [LAUGHS] Wow.
MEGAN MATSON: So you want to go scuba diving now, right?
ARIK MATSON: I think so, yeah.
CATHY WURZER: Wow.
MEGAN MATSON: Yo.
CATHY WURZER: That would be amazing. I hope you do get to do that. And I think knowing you and just what I've seen in the movie, I think it's absolutely something you're going to go ahead and achieve. That's for sure. Oh, my goodness. I so appreciate both of you joining us here today. Your story really is one that is inspiring, and thanks for sharing it.
MEGAN MATSON: Absolutely.
ARIK MATSON: Yes, thank you so much for all the positive feedback on the documentary and everybody for coming out and supporting and watching it.
CATHY WURZER: That was Arik and Megan Matson. Their story is the focus of a new documentary called The Weight of the Crown. It's showing at Stillwater High School January 13 at 7:30 PM. And it is streaming right now on YouTube.
By the way, Arik was the first to receive this legacy hunting trip from the organization Hometown Hero Outdoors. Arik helped choose the next recipient, Doug Shreve, who lives in Texas. And proceeds from the ticket sales of the documentary showing will support this next HHO hunt. Details, by the way, MPRNews.org.
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