Update - 8/22/06

The Kurz family has returned from a short, much-needed vacation. They were refreshed and renewed by the diversion and now it's time for the boys to go back to school and Mom and Dad to continue with their vocations. Matthew was in good hands while they were gone with Uncle Joel and the nurses that come in shifts to the home. Uncle Joel is very compassionate in his care of his nephew and he does a very good job with Matthew.

Matthew has moved on his own quite a bit recently, especially his legs. His caregivers have always had to move his legs for him and help reposition him by doing all the effort with his legs. Matthew has begun to move his legs on his own some - moving his legs over where one will be hanging off the edge of the bed. Matthew has also pushed himself up off the surface of a bed and raised up on his elbows when he was suppose to be resting between therapy sessions. He came close to falling off the bed, so now he can't be left alone.

Matthew continues to work on making the "p" sound. He still doesn't say words, but he is trying hard to form the letters.

The surgery for his left leg was scheduled for this Thursday, August 24, but that has been postponed because Matthew has an infection on the side of his toe and is on antibiotics. So, surgery is not possible while there is an infection. Hopefully this will clear up soon.

I hope all of you are doing well and if your children are going back to school now, may they have a terrific year and enjoy learning.

Rachel Asburry
Commission on Worship

Update - 8/13/06

Last week was a good week for Matthew. On Wednesday he saw two of his doctors in Columbia - one was the baclofen doctor. He refilled Matthew's medication and he commented on how good Matthew looks. Matthew also saw his neurology doctor and he was greatly pleased at how well Matthew looks. He was very encouraged by his examination of Matthew.

Matthew has done more with his right hand for the first time. Usually he runs his left hand through his hair, but last week he ran his right hand through his hair for the first time. Matthew continues to take his left hand and manipulate his right hand and work at gaining activity with his right hand. He wants it to move as much as all of us.

A trapeze bar has been installed above Matthew's bed and in time they hope that Matthew will eventually pull himself up with the bar. Initially Matthew grabbed onto the bar with his left hand, but as time goes along we hope his strength will increase and he can pull himself up.

On August 24th Matthew will have the surgery to cut the tendons and lengthen them in his left leg to correct the dropped foot problem.

Matthew's parents have noticed that he seems to be more and more clear in his head since he's been home and he has more appropriate responses to requests and better cognitive awareness. He isn't consistent in his responses yet, but he is clearer.

The family is moving ahead with the purchase of a home that is being constructed south of Sedalia. If all goes well, they may be able to move into the home by late fall. There are numerous things that the house needs in order to make it handicapped accessible for Matthew. I realize that money has been a touchy subject in the past months on this blog, so I will preface the list below with the following encouragement. There are many people that are asking for ways to financially help the Kurz family with items for a home that Matthew can live in. This blog is one way that people can find out what is needed and then take action - IF they so choose. Please realize that there are people all over the U.S. that want to help the Kurz family and this is their only source of information.

A case worker is seeking government aid for Matthew's home - which could be up to $5,000 for the whole home, but this is only the TIP of the iceberg. So, if you would like to make a contribution to help make the Kurz' new home handicapped accessible for Matthew (because LONG-TERM care is inevitable), you may send your gift to the realtor and it will go directly to the home expenses:

make the check out to: Matthew Kurz Medical Fund and send to:

Tina Roquet
3300 W. 16th
Sedalia, MO 65301
for questions or clarification: 660-827-3550

Here's a list of items/structures, etc. that are needed for Matthew in the home:

1. Ramp in the garage that leads into the home: $250
2. Main handicapped shower that Matthew can be rolled into: $2000
3. Handicapped bath chair (many have suggested that they get a bath chair at Wal-Mart that would be inexpensive, but Matthew would fall right out of one of those chairs). Because of the tone in Matthew's legs and the fact that he can't control the weight of his trunk, he needs a special handicapped bath chair: $3000
4. Handicapped stool: $85
5. Handicapped railing in bathroom: $200
6. Tile and laminate flooring throughout the main level of the house for Matthew's wheelchair to roll on: $2200
7. Concrete ramp and sidewalk to run alongside the garage to the back of the house so that Matthew can go outside: $450
When Matthew gains more abilities in time, the doctors and therapists will want him to work at taking care of his own needs, so specific household appliances will need to be installed that Matthew can have access to from a wheelchair:
8. Kitchen stove with all the buttons and controls on the front: ranges from $500-1000
9. Cost efficient front loading washer and dryer: $898 washer, $847 dryer
10. Stand for Matthew to reach both washer and dryer: $197
11. The home is being built with the capability to install a chair lift to the basement at some point when the funding is available. This is a substantial expense and hopefully at some time down the road they can install a lift so that Matthew can have full access to the whole house (especially in case of emergencies). Chair lift to the basement costs: $35,000

The Kurz family greatly appreciate all the generous outpouring of love and concern for them in the past 8 months. They are overwhelmed by the many ways that people have reached out to help them. Every day is a struggle as they care for Matthew and everything you do (whether you are near or far), they truly appreciate.

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let Israel say: 'His love endures forever.' Let the house of Aaron say: 'His love endures forever.' Let those who fear the Lord say: 'His love endures forever.' In my anguish I cried to the Lord, and he answered by setting me free. The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid." Psalm 118: 1-6a

Rachel Asburry
Matthew's godmother

Update - 8/5/06

Matthew continues to gain upper body strength. The therapists will lay him on his stomach and help position his body and then Matthew raises his head up and keeps his shoulders up for a longer period of time each time. He is also turning himself in bed at night (upper body only) and the night nurse will assist with his legs and then he goes back to sleep.

Matthew continues to eat well, but if it's something he doesn't like - he will spit it out. When Matthew eats, he tends to want to rub his nose alot with his left hand. Quite often this gets in the way of eating. So, someone will hold his left hand down to keep it out of the way. Well, Matthew found a way to get his nose scratched anyway - he lifted his RIGHT hand to his nose to scratch/rub it. It's wonderful that his right hand is "waking up" a little more all the time.

The therapists and his parents have noticed Matthew is getting better with eye/hand coordination all the time with his left hand.

In the previous update I mentioned that Matthew was going to see a podiatrist a couple weeks ago regarding his turned in and dropped left foot. Well, this podiatrist recommended an orthopedic specialist who has worked with similar cases. Matthew saw this specialist yesterday (Friday). The orthopedic doctor has recommended surgery to cut the tendons in the back of Matthew's leg. This is suppose to give mobility to raise the left foot up. Matthew would then be in a series of casts for 2-6 weeks while healing. The doctors at Rusk had mentioned this as a possible treatment, but not a first choice treatment. The orthopedic specialist has determined that everything has been done that can be done - and this is the only option that may work at this time.

Matthew left knee has been swelling recently - it may be from the H.O., but not sure. It is easy to see from Matthew's reactions that it hurts.

Some Shaklee friends in Oklahoma held a dinner fundraiser this week to raise money for Matthew's bath chair. They raised over $2,000! Now there's only $1,000 to go before Matthew can have the bath chair and do away with sponge baths. Your help toward this goal would be much appreciated.

Hope you have a wonderful day!

Rachel Asburry
Matthew's godmother