Update - 3/8/07
Matthew's doctors and therapists are so pleased with his progress in the week and a half he's been at Rusk. They have set a lot of goals for Matthew and are convinced that he has great potential! We rejoice!!!!!!!
Earlier this week Matthew was able to use the AutoAmbulator for the first time. The AutoAmbulator supports the patient while robotics assist the patient's legs as they walk over a treadmill and it simulates normal walking motion (info taken from HealthSouth.com web site). For Matthew it can help to "jump start" the brain to clue into messages from the body - "oh, yeah, this is how you walk" and retrain the body all over again how to walk. Matthew was in the AutoAmbulator for a half hour the first time and he did great. He didn't complain of pain and that is a tremendous achievement considering the stiffness of his muscles. He is scheduled to use the AutoAmbulator every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 4:00 p.m.
The therapists have been doing lots of stretches with Matthew's legs and this has helped a great deal to loose him up. They have commented that the stretches the Kurzs did at home have paid off because Matthew is in good shape considering his overall condition. Of course, he's a lot tighter than you or me, but he has loosened up.
Matthew's strength is increasing in his upper body which can be seen in his ability to push himself out of a chair. And he's more secure when he stands in therapy sessions. He's getting stronger!
The one thing that hasn't gotten better is his eating. He refuses to eat a great deal of the food put before him, except for fruit. But don't worry - he is getting the nutrients his body needs from a variety of other sources.
Thanks so much for sending cards! Matthew loves to get mail and he insists on opening his cards himself. He laughs and laughs when it's a funny card. And everyone around him loves to hear his laughter! In case you didn't read the last update, be sure to check it out. The address for Rusk Rehab is in the Feb. 27th update.
Have a great day!
Rachel Asburry
Matthew's godmother
Earlier this week Matthew was able to use the AutoAmbulator for the first time. The AutoAmbulator supports the patient while robotics assist the patient's legs as they walk over a treadmill and it simulates normal walking motion (info taken from HealthSouth.com web site). For Matthew it can help to "jump start" the brain to clue into messages from the body - "oh, yeah, this is how you walk" and retrain the body all over again how to walk. Matthew was in the AutoAmbulator for a half hour the first time and he did great. He didn't complain of pain and that is a tremendous achievement considering the stiffness of his muscles. He is scheduled to use the AutoAmbulator every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 4:00 p.m.
The therapists have been doing lots of stretches with Matthew's legs and this has helped a great deal to loose him up. They have commented that the stretches the Kurzs did at home have paid off because Matthew is in good shape considering his overall condition. Of course, he's a lot tighter than you or me, but he has loosened up.
Matthew's strength is increasing in his upper body which can be seen in his ability to push himself out of a chair. And he's more secure when he stands in therapy sessions. He's getting stronger!
The one thing that hasn't gotten better is his eating. He refuses to eat a great deal of the food put before him, except for fruit. But don't worry - he is getting the nutrients his body needs from a variety of other sources.
Thanks so much for sending cards! Matthew loves to get mail and he insists on opening his cards himself. He laughs and laughs when it's a funny card. And everyone around him loves to hear his laughter! In case you didn't read the last update, be sure to check it out. The address for Rusk Rehab is in the Feb. 27th update.
Have a great day!
Rachel Asburry
Matthew's godmother
posted by Randy Asburry @ 1:16 PM
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