Update - 1/12/07
"Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, Rejoice!"
As we begin a new year, we often examine the past year and consider and make plans for the new year. We often take this time to be thankful for all the blessings Our Lord has bestowed on us. Well, today and everyday we are thankful for Matthew's continuing progress and especially for the new accomplishments I will share with you today.
This week Matthew pulled HIMSELF up to a standing position using the parallel bar during a therapy session. He needed a small amount of assistance, but did most of it himself. He grabbed onto the bar with his left hand and hooked his right arm around the bar and worked to pull himself up. It took alot of effort, but HE DID IT!
Matthew continues to be cheerful and all smiles (except at meal time)! He responds to greetings quicker such as saying "Good Morning" without the pause. When he is asked "How are you?", his usual responses are "Good", "Fine" or "Awesome"! His speaking is becoming clearer and comes out quicker.
Several weeks ago Matthew got a cold and was feeling pretty crummy. It is especially when he isn't feeling well that he refuses to eat food. So, he had to be tube-fed for a while. Wednesday he ate lunch again for the first time in three weeks. He didn't want to hold the utensil himself but he did accept Mom feeding him. The day before he fed himself apples. Wednesday he also drank from a cup five times. It's great to have his interest in drinking from the cup return.
There are more "firsts" this week! Matthew rolled himself over to the side of the bed unassisted for the first time. This is a great accomplishment!
Another first was Matthew used his RIGHT arm to flick styrofoam shapes laying in front of him off the table. He did this over and over with his RIGHT arm! Matthew was thrilled! Then someone would put one of the styrofoam shapes between his fingers on his right hand and instructed him to get rid of the shape. He lifted his right arm up by the side of his head and then wiggled his fingers until the toy was dislodged. And he repeated this again and again. The therapists and his parents are excited to see Matthew's right side begin "waking up"! It appears his brain is beginning to recognize the signals for the right side of his body. Every day there is something new that he does with his right side.
Matthew's recall of saying what an oject is is getting better. He is shown flashcards of different objects like "coffee cup", "radio", "shirt", etc. and he is able to identify the objects. He can also count to 30 unassisted and before the #'s 6,7,8,9 were slurred in his speech, but now they are clear and understandable.
Recently Matthew saw an eye doctor that specializes in care of patients with head trauma and other vision disabilities. This doctor was pleased to say that Matthew's vision is normal. His right eye is a little blurry, so the doctor recommended getting small objects like beads for Matthew to pick up. This will help to improve his focus and strengthen his eye.
More good news!!!! - Matthew qualified to get an assisted technology computer (touch screen). The therapists and parents go for training this coming Tuesday on how to use the computer. Then Matthew will be introduced to it. This computer will be attached to Matthew's wheelchair and will go with him always as he needs it. The programs are designed to advance according to Matthew's abilities or skills as he continues to learn. In the future Matthew will be able to keep track of his schedule and be reminded by the computer to do things. This is crucial for brain trauma patients (I think we all need that at times, don't we?!). And that's just the tip of the iceberg of what Matthew will be able to do with this computer. We look forward to hearing how this assists Matthew in his recapturing of skills that we all take for granted.
That's all the good news I have for today. Thank you for all your support and love and prayers for Matthew and the Kurz family!!
Rachel Asburry
Matthew's godmother
As we begin a new year, we often examine the past year and consider and make plans for the new year. We often take this time to be thankful for all the blessings Our Lord has bestowed on us. Well, today and everyday we are thankful for Matthew's continuing progress and especially for the new accomplishments I will share with you today.
This week Matthew pulled HIMSELF up to a standing position using the parallel bar during a therapy session. He needed a small amount of assistance, but did most of it himself. He grabbed onto the bar with his left hand and hooked his right arm around the bar and worked to pull himself up. It took alot of effort, but HE DID IT!
Matthew continues to be cheerful and all smiles (except at meal time)! He responds to greetings quicker such as saying "Good Morning" without the pause. When he is asked "How are you?", his usual responses are "Good", "Fine" or "Awesome"! His speaking is becoming clearer and comes out quicker.
Several weeks ago Matthew got a cold and was feeling pretty crummy. It is especially when he isn't feeling well that he refuses to eat food. So, he had to be tube-fed for a while. Wednesday he ate lunch again for the first time in three weeks. He didn't want to hold the utensil himself but he did accept Mom feeding him. The day before he fed himself apples. Wednesday he also drank from a cup five times. It's great to have his interest in drinking from the cup return.
There are more "firsts" this week! Matthew rolled himself over to the side of the bed unassisted for the first time. This is a great accomplishment!
Another first was Matthew used his RIGHT arm to flick styrofoam shapes laying in front of him off the table. He did this over and over with his RIGHT arm! Matthew was thrilled! Then someone would put one of the styrofoam shapes between his fingers on his right hand and instructed him to get rid of the shape. He lifted his right arm up by the side of his head and then wiggled his fingers until the toy was dislodged. And he repeated this again and again. The therapists and his parents are excited to see Matthew's right side begin "waking up"! It appears his brain is beginning to recognize the signals for the right side of his body. Every day there is something new that he does with his right side.
Matthew's recall of saying what an oject is is getting better. He is shown flashcards of different objects like "coffee cup", "radio", "shirt", etc. and he is able to identify the objects. He can also count to 30 unassisted and before the #'s 6,7,8,9 were slurred in his speech, but now they are clear and understandable.
Recently Matthew saw an eye doctor that specializes in care of patients with head trauma and other vision disabilities. This doctor was pleased to say that Matthew's vision is normal. His right eye is a little blurry, so the doctor recommended getting small objects like beads for Matthew to pick up. This will help to improve his focus and strengthen his eye.
More good news!!!! - Matthew qualified to get an assisted technology computer (touch screen). The therapists and parents go for training this coming Tuesday on how to use the computer. Then Matthew will be introduced to it. This computer will be attached to Matthew's wheelchair and will go with him always as he needs it. The programs are designed to advance according to Matthew's abilities or skills as he continues to learn. In the future Matthew will be able to keep track of his schedule and be reminded by the computer to do things. This is crucial for brain trauma patients (I think we all need that at times, don't we?!). And that's just the tip of the iceberg of what Matthew will be able to do with this computer. We look forward to hearing how this assists Matthew in his recapturing of skills that we all take for granted.
That's all the good news I have for today. Thank you for all your support and love and prayers for Matthew and the Kurz family!!
Rachel Asburry
Matthew's godmother
posted by Randy Asburry @ 9:52 AM
1 Comments:
At 7:39 AM,
Anonymous said…
Rachel -
Thanks for the update!!
Marsha Mehrens
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