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
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
posted by Randy Asburry @ 8:32 PM
1 Comments:
At 6:45 AM,
Anonymous said…
Would it be possible for some of those things (ramp, concrete pouring) to be done by a group or individual? Or will those have to be done by "professionals" as the house is being built? I know money has been a touchy subject, so I thought maybe the idea of donating time and labor (and the talents God had given people) would go over better with some people. Plus, it would make a great group project!
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