Update - 5/7/06

It has been a good weekend for Matthew. He is making improvements and even though the surgery set him back in his progress, he is regaining some skills and abilities back. Previously Matthew was gripping a spoon and pulling it toward his mouth. He is doing that again (with ice chips in the spoon). They will begin introducing other foods little by little again and encourage him to not clamp his mouth shut.

He has also been assisting with getting himself dressed (which he did before, but had stopped). When asked, Matthew will push his own arm through the sleeve.

Matthew's parents and his therapists can see that he DOES understand what is being said to him and around him. The question is if Matthew will choose to respond back. He doesn't respond with words, but with the thumbs up sign or shaking his head. He was doing these things before, but had stopped. We're glad to see these skills are returning.

What is new and exciting is Matthew is holding his head up on his own more each day. A few days ago he could hold his head up for 1/2 hour normally. Each day he makes it for longer. Today he was sitting up in the wheelchair and holding his head up, with legs bent normally and it was so exciting for his mother to see.

Another extremely positive thing is Matthew is learning to breathe deeply through the muscle spasms until they pass. Previously the muscle spasms would cause him confusion and so much pain that he would moan, groan and "fight" the spasms. Now he can breathe deeply until the spasms "let go". He doesn't cry out like he did before. Now you may wonder why he's still having the spasms when he's on the medication for relaxing the muscles. To completely get rid of the spasms would mean so much medication that he would be a "wet noodle" with no muscle control at all. The level of medication he is receiving now reduces the amount of spasms and makes it more comfortable for Matthew without taking away his ability to respond to therapy.

A few days ago Matthew was given the OK by the doctors to take a little trip on May 21st! If all goes well and things continue as they are going, Matthew will be able to attend the graduation ceremony in Cole Camp. The arrangements are being made and Matthew's doctor thinks it will be good for him. Matthew's parents couldn't be happier about this news!!!

Matthew's 18th birthday is the day after graduation, on May 22nd. Brenda is hoping to have a card shower for Matthew and a celebration in his room at Rusk. More details to follow. We hope that you will begin looking for a special card to mail to Matthew on that special day.

God be with you all!

Rachel Asburry
Matthew's godmother