Update - 4/30/07

"It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High;
to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, . . ." Ps. 92: 1-2

We give thanks to our Lord for continued healing and progress for Matthew. We especially thank Him for the incredible movement in Matthew's right leg. Last Saturday (Apr. 21st) my children and I had the privilege of visiting the Kurz family in Columbia at Rusk. While we were there, Matthew raised his right leg SEVERAL times when sitting in his wheelchair. It was AWESOME! He even held his right ankle up for 10 seconds or more. This was the first time he's had substantial movement in his right leg. Since that Saturday Matthew has moved his right leg several times, not just the foot but the whole leg. Praise the Lord!

We had a terrific visit with Matthew and were greatly impressed with Matthew's progress. He definitely isn't the same young man we saw several months ago at Thanksgiving (as my husband was able to attest to as well). We laughed and joked and had a wonderful time. It warmed my heart to be assured that Matthew clearly knows who we are (even if he wasn't sure about my son who has changed and grown ALOT in the last year). I was also very impressed with how well Matthew drives the electric wheelchair. He's smooth and steady going down the hall or down the sidewalk outside and turns corners with ease. It was also terrific to see him get into bed. He still needs a good deal of help to transition from the wheelchair to the bed, but he is doing a lot of the effort himself.

Friday, April 27th Matthew returned home and is settling back into the family routine. He is glad to be home with his family and back in his own room. He will continue with outpatient therapy and his parents will work with him a great deal at home to continue making progress with his physical challenges. Hopefully he can go back to Rusk Rehab in Columbia in the future for more intense therapy and continue working toward being able to walk.

Just a reminder, if you'd like to send Matthew cards, the home address is:

4130 Bluegrass Drive
Sedalia, MO 65301

Have a blessed week!

Rachel Asburry
Matthew's godmother

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