Update - 10/5/09

Matthew has been home a while and is doing very well!!! His stitches will be removed on Tuesday and so far the incision is healing well. His bout with pneumonia at the hospital was short lived. With previous hospital stays Matthew often "takes a few steps backwards" in his progress with therapy, but this time Matthew continues to make great strides and improvement. Soon he will be able to do water therapy again - which is always a big plus! Amazingly Matthew will now ask to get up and walk - whereas he used to have to be coerced to stand and take steps.

Usually Matthew needs assistance to move from his NuStep machine to his wheelchair, but a few days ago he did it ALL by himself and even got himself situated well in his chair (which is not easy to do for such a big guy as he is). His mother stepped away for a moment and told him she would help him when she got back. When she returned maybe 30 seconds later Matthew had made the transition from one to the other and sat there looking at her so non-chalant.

For the first time in 3 years and 8 months, Matthew has called out to his mother by name! You anxiously await for your child to say "momma" or "dada" when they are little, but can you imagine waiting over 3 years for your son whose voice has been silenced and thought processes interrupted because of his brain injury to call out "Mom"? It's incredible! Brenda said when prompted Matthew has been able for quite some time to indicate who she is and who other members of the family are, but this is the first time he has tried to get her attention by saying, "Mom, I need..."

Matthew is making major improvements with his drawing skill. The size and proportions are much closer to accurate dimensions and the quality and detail of his pictures are improving. The artist in him continues to blossom!

Hope you are having a wonderful fall!

Rachel Asburry
Matthew's godmother