Update - 4/13/07

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!!!!

Hope you all had a blessed Easter!

It's official - Matthew's stay at Rusk has been extended to April 27th. Two extensions is all they can allow at this time so Matthew will definitely be going home to Sedalia on the 27th. Good timing for him to go home - he can be there for Andrew's graduation celebration.

Matthew came in to Rusk this recent visit as a "2 person transfer" and he'll be leaving as a "1 person transfer". That's great progress! When going from the bed to the chair or from the chair to the bed, 85% of the effort is from Matthew's own strength and effort. This is TREMENDOUS help for his caregivers. He can get both legs up on the bed by himself, adjusts his legs and body and needs a little assistance with the right leg and a little verbal guidance along the way. And of course, he's very proud of himself when he accomplishes this!

Matthew's speech continues to improve. He's talking more and he has more accurate responses to questions. Many times he will respond to someone else's questions or statements with simple sentences of his own and he's not always copying back what the other person said but changes it to be an appropriate response of his own.

The artist in Matthew is starting to shine forth. He is doing very well with drawing - specifically with copying simple black and white pictures and he takes great pains to get the details right. He loves to use the Etch-A-Sketch and it's impressive for his abilities the details he puts in his etchings.

Another exciting development is Matthew is now beginning to identify numbers. When given very simple addition and subtraction problems, he has gotten 9 out of 10 right - on the first try. When I say simple, I'm referring to addition like 4+6=10. You can tell he's thinking it through and then he will either point to the answer on paper or will say the answer.

This past Sunday Matthew went to church with his family and he did amazingly well during the service. When the congregation would stand, Matthew would attempt to get out of his chair to stand as well (but didn't seem to remember he had a seatbelt on). In therapy Matthew continues to work on pulling up on a bar to get to a standing position. In future therapy sessions he will need to work on balance and trunk control, but his potential is good. The problems he had with his left foot and sores delayed his progress and his tendons tightened with inactivity over the months, but with flexing and therapy it has greatly improved.

Matthew still doesn't want to eat a variety of food and no coaxing or cajoling will work. He's stubborn and when it comes from his own initiative he will use a utensil (spoon or fork). This week he picked up a spoon and ate his pudding without any request from others or complaint from himself.

He continues to show more movement and strength in his right hand. He can grip with his right hand and also release with the thumb and first finger.

Matthew is showing more focused driving in the wheelchair. He will now drive several feet without stopping to fiddle with his glasses or run his hand through his hair. Maybe it won't be long and he can go for walks with his family without lagging behind with his stops and starts. (And maybe it won't be too long and we'll start having WARM weather again so he'll want to go outside!!!!)

A few weeks ago my husband had the opportunity to stop in Columbia and see Matthew. He thoroughly enjoyed the visit and remarked that the young man at Rusk now is certainly NOT the same young man we saw at Thanksgiving. He is expressive and responsive and LOVES visitors. If you visit Matthew, be prepared for him to blow you a kiss!

Have a wonderful weekend and a blessed Eastertide!!!

Rachel Asburry
Matthew's godmother