Update - 12/22/08
Matthew has recently undertaken the challenge of trying to walk with a reed cane, as a regular walker has become a little difficult for him to use. Matthew is just plain too tall for the regular walkers, because they are not made for someone 6 feet tall or taller. Nonetheless, a friend of the Kurz family welded an additional seven inches onto the legs of a walker, and now Matthew also has a very stable and wide base in a regular walker.
Matthew can also now stand for seven minutes straight and holds his balance quite well without any assistance. No doubt this comes from the exercises in which he would stand, with some assistance, and then do knee bends (as shown here from Thanksgiving Day, standing and working with Dad's support and coaching).
The Nu Step exercise machine has helped Matthew strengthen his right leg quite a bit. He works on the machine for one hour twice a day. His right leg has strengthened so much that he can lift his right foot up a step. And some thought he would not be able to do that.
Some also thought that Matthew would be able to walk only with the help of leg braces, but lately he seems to walk better without them.
Every day Matthew draws four or more pictures and with increasing detail. He does very well with black and white pictures, and he mostly uses his left hand (great news for his dad and his godfather, who are lefties!). However, Matthew is also regaining use of his right hand. He cut his pancake for the first time with his right hand and without the brace on his right hand. More and more Matthew extends his right arm on his own. His tense muscle tone also seem to be relaxing.
Matthew initiates his thoughts and expresses his wants. For example, when Mom went in to get him up one morning, Matthew asked her, without prompting, "So how are you feeling today?" Matthew also loves to take part in joking and laughing. Brenda says that he is becoming more relaxed with his condition and accepting of it. He also wants to understand what he's doing and why, such as when he must take his vitamins or when he must go some where.
Matthew has also started to pick up the paper and read it, reading more than just the comic pages and doing more than just looking at the pictures of pretty girls ("Yeah, baby!").
Matthew's brother, Andrew, has decided that he wants to become an occupational therapist after college. While he is home for his six-week break from college, Andrew intends to work with Matthew as a "personal assistant." Matthew and Andrew have always had a close bond, and in his new condition Matthew still responds very well to Andrew. So as Matthew's "personal assistant" (therapist in training?) Andrew plans to challenge Matthew in his exercises and activities.
Recently Matthew went to a Christmas party at the home of one of his therapists. But there was one problem: three steps to get into the house. Mom offered to go inside and get some strong men to help carry Matthew in, but Matthew had a different idea. He insisted on walking into the house, up the three steps, on his own steam, and that he did with his own determination, lifting his right leg himself and walking into the house. When he sets his mind to do something, he makes great accomplishments.
After Christmas Matthew will begin water therapy. We are hoping that this will aide him even more in improving his ability to walk and gain strength.
As we prepare to celebrate the Incarnation and Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ on Christmas, we also extend to you many thanks from the Kurz family for all of your prayers and support through this past year. Our Savior Jesus Christ, the Son of God, took on our human flesh and blood to restore us to life with God and to restore our full humanity that has been so ravaged by sin and death. Matthew's journey of healing and recovering his various abilities is a good picture of what our Lord Jesus has begun in us--being restored to the image of God. Just as Matthew continues to grow again in his abilities, we also, by God's boundless and undeserved grace, continue to grow in the life that our Savior has won for us on the cross and gives to us in His Church.
So, we all wish you a very blessed and joyous Christmas, and we thank you for your continued support for Matthew as he continues his journey of healing and hope.
Randy Asburry
Matthew's Godfather
Matthew can also now stand for seven minutes straight and holds his balance quite well without any assistance. No doubt this comes from the exercises in which he would stand, with some assistance, and then do knee bends (as shown here from Thanksgiving Day, standing and working with Dad's support and coaching).
The Nu Step exercise machine has helped Matthew strengthen his right leg quite a bit. He works on the machine for one hour twice a day. His right leg has strengthened so much that he can lift his right foot up a step. And some thought he would not be able to do that.
Some also thought that Matthew would be able to walk only with the help of leg braces, but lately he seems to walk better without them.
Every day Matthew draws four or more pictures and with increasing detail. He does very well with black and white pictures, and he mostly uses his left hand (great news for his dad and his godfather, who are lefties!). However, Matthew is also regaining use of his right hand. He cut his pancake for the first time with his right hand and without the brace on his right hand. More and more Matthew extends his right arm on his own. His tense muscle tone also seem to be relaxing.
Matthew initiates his thoughts and expresses his wants. For example, when Mom went in to get him up one morning, Matthew asked her, without prompting, "So how are you feeling today?" Matthew also loves to take part in joking and laughing. Brenda says that he is becoming more relaxed with his condition and accepting of it. He also wants to understand what he's doing and why, such as when he must take his vitamins or when he must go some where.
Matthew has also started to pick up the paper and read it, reading more than just the comic pages and doing more than just looking at the pictures of pretty girls ("Yeah, baby!").
Matthew's brother, Andrew, has decided that he wants to become an occupational therapist after college. While he is home for his six-week break from college, Andrew intends to work with Matthew as a "personal assistant." Matthew and Andrew have always had a close bond, and in his new condition Matthew still responds very well to Andrew. So as Matthew's "personal assistant" (therapist in training?) Andrew plans to challenge Matthew in his exercises and activities.Recently Matthew went to a Christmas party at the home of one of his therapists. But there was one problem: three steps to get into the house. Mom offered to go inside and get some strong men to help carry Matthew in, but Matthew had a different idea. He insisted on walking into the house, up the three steps, on his own steam, and that he did with his own determination, lifting his right leg himself and walking into the house. When he sets his mind to do something, he makes great accomplishments.
After Christmas Matthew will begin water therapy. We are hoping that this will aide him even more in improving his ability to walk and gain strength.
As we prepare to celebrate the Incarnation and Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ on Christmas, we also extend to you many thanks from the Kurz family for all of your prayers and support through this past year. Our Savior Jesus Christ, the Son of God, took on our human flesh and blood to restore us to life with God and to restore our full humanity that has been so ravaged by sin and death. Matthew's journey of healing and recovering his various abilities is a good picture of what our Lord Jesus has begun in us--being restored to the image of God. Just as Matthew continues to grow again in his abilities, we also, by God's boundless and undeserved grace, continue to grow in the life that our Savior has won for us on the cross and gives to us in His Church.So, we all wish you a very blessed and joyous Christmas, and we thank you for your continued support for Matthew as he continues his journey of healing and hope.
Randy Asburry
Matthew's Godfather
posted by Randy Asburry @ 7:39 PM
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