Philip Mathews lived nineteen years on earth. He was a typical teenager in every sense of the word but his very birth and life was anything but typical. After being born with a cleft lip and palate, holes in his heart, absent right ear and eye, and missing parts of his brain, Philip Mathews was given little chance of survival. But he did survive and go on to live 19 years of purpose, becoming an international motivational speaker and advocate for the unborn and unseen spreading his message of hope across 48 states in the USA and 13 countries of the world.
On July 27th, Philip Mathews would have turned 25. Though his time on earth was short, his life continues to impact thousands. Born with craniofacial differences, Philip inspired a movement — a mission to ensure no child ever suffers in silence because of a cleft lip, cleft palate, or other facial anomaly. Today, his legacy lives on through the Philipians Circle — a community of monthly givers who carry that mission forward, one smile at a time.
In a serious conversation with a media executive in India, then 8-year-old Philip Mathews explained, “We have to help every child that we can because every child matters.” October 2019, Love Without Reason lost our dear and brilliant Philip Mathews. An inspiration, son, brother, and team member passed away. We are committed to continuing Philip’s dream and vision. We were deeply honored that Philip invited those with the desire to make a change to contribute to Love Without Reason in his memory. Gifts dedicated to the operation cost that supports Love Without Reason expansion will advance the work he cared so passionately for.
Philip’s birth on July 27, 2000, changed the lives of his parents, Susan and Santhosh. Due to heart failure and the continuous drop in his weight, Philip had his first surgery to place a gastric tube in his stomach for feedings every three hours.
Philip’s cleft lip and cleft palate were repaired this year. He continued with the tube feedings. The state of Tennessee also gave an opportunity for the Mathews family to enroll in the Family Training program at Siskin Children's Institute
Philip continued to have various surgeries to reconstruct his facial features. He also transitioned into a classroom at Siskin Children’s Institute. With the help of the therapists, Philip began walking. He also transitioned from tube feedings to eating food by mouth. He progressed from sign language to speaking and communicating
Philip became a big brother to Sara and then Caleb, his only siblings. He continued to grow and improve in his verbal and social skills with their help.
Philip continued to grow and play and speak - amazing the medical team by achieving the milestones he was told that he would never be able to achieve.
Philip’s educators did not expect to see his IQ increase during the early childhood years, but he exceeded the expectations.
The state of Tennessee tested Philip and documented that he had no developmental delays. He was ready for kindergarten, transitioning into Westview Elementary School to begin his academic journey
Philip did miss days of school due to his surgeries that were scheduled throughout the year. He often worried about what he would look like when he returned to the classroom. One of his favorite teachers would remind him, “It’s not what’s on the outside that matters, Philip, it is what is on the inside that counts.” He remembered this phrase and would often quote it even into his adolescent years.December 2007 Love Without Reason was established in Chattanooga, Tennessee USA
In August of 2008, Philip had his nasopharyngeal flap repair. At the time of extubation after his surgery, Philip’s airway closed. In this emergency situation, the medical team responded quickly and saved Philip’s life. He developed sleep apnea and started to wear a CPAP at bedtime
Philip and Caleb were brothers who as children would fight each other. But as young men, they bonded over protecting their only sister and over fantasy football.
Philip began his missionary journey by speaking in Trinidad and in different cities in India.He enjoyed sharing his life story and inspiring the audience that with God nothing is impossible.
The renowned college preparatory McCallie School admission office told the Mathews family, “Philip doesn’t need McCallie, but McCallie needs Philip.” He began his journey with the Big Blue Brotherhood and found a place of acceptance with his peers.
Philip enjoyed school and enjoyed his friendships with his peers and with his teachers. He earned the reputation of being a ‘hard worker’ in the classroom setting.
Philip was told he would be tone deaf, due to his diminished hearing in only one ear. However, after taking one guitar class at McCallie and following training with his father, Philip began to play the guitar by ear. He continued to sing and play songs, many are found on YouTube.
During a Thanksgiving gathering, Philip told the family that he was grateful that his parents chose “Life.” He understood the significance of the risk his mother took in continuing the pregnancy, when all the medical experts advised her not to. He was always an advocate for LIFE.
Philip was not cleared for any contact sports by his medical team. However, he did not let that stop him from serving on the McCallie football team his four years in high school. He served with the coaches and film crew and continued working hard on his academics.
Philip loved playing his guitar and singing songs. He would be found singing in the parks,hospitals, churches and in the streets of the USA, India, Kenya and Zimbabwe.
Philip and his siblings joined Love Without Reason in the first medical camp to Africa – attending both the Zimbabwe and Kenya camps. He witnessed his first cleft surgery on an infant, and celebrated with the waiting parents.
Philip led a humanitarian mission for Love Without Reason taking peers and faculty from the McCallie School to India. They attended a patient follow-up camp in Bangalore, visited the Project Butterfly Center in Mumbai and were able to bless the parents and children with hope, prayer and encouragement.
May 19, 2019, Philip walked across the stage of the McCallie School and received his high school diploma. He was accepted into Lee University and decided to take a gap year. In June, he and Santhosh left for a trip to India, Dubai, and Zimbabwe to serve Love Without Reason. In July and August, he joined his siblings for his final medical camp into Zimbabwe. His prayer over the waiting patients, “I want you to do greater things than Philip ever did.” On October 9, Philip went through emergency surgery for a perforated ulcer. On October 17, he was pronounced dead for 11 minutes, after which he came back to life. On October 22, 2019, Philip was released to his heavenly home. He was laid to rest on October 26 in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
