December 2011

Happy Holidays! Matthew had a wonderful time during the Holidays spending time with friends and family. He also has been walking on his new leg for almost a month.  As promised, here is a photo. 

November 2011

Happy Holidays to all! Matthew is doing great and has been very busy the last few months.  He attended and participated in the CAF field day in September, at which he met Kelly Bruno from Survivor! He also went to the State Fair, rode the ghost train in Bonsal and of course trick-or-treated on Halloween. On the school front, Matthew has really improved on his reading and writing, and is still over expectations when it comes to math! As far as the prosthetic front goes, well it’s time for a new leg! Matthew had his leg cast last week and Mr. Eddie is building the socket this week. Matthew is very excited about this leg, since it will feature a different knee which will assist his gate pattern when running! The biggest decision for Matthew is what design to put on the new leg? For that answer, you will have to come back next month to see. This my, friends, is called a cliff hanger…..

August 2011

This update is going to be completely different than the regular one’s I make. This update is going to be the story of tragedy meets triumph. Three years ago to this day, August 1, Matthew was run over by an adult driving a lawn mower. This sentence still looks and feels as unbelievable as it sounds. A small four year old child simply playing in the yard with another child, like most summer days are spent during our childhood.  However this summer day would be much different than any other normal summer day. You see, through the complete incompetence of an adult, my son's life was changed forever.  Within an instant his leg was gone and so almost was his life. But destiny had a plan for him, from the one in a million odds that an off duty ambulance was cruising through this small coastal town on his way home to answer the call for help, to the fact that the medical rescue airlift unit made record time to the small community hospital to transport him. To the surgeon who had over twenty (unfortunately) child amputee surgeries under his belt.  All of these “coincidences” were in place to save Matthew.  I ask myself why? Why did he have to lose his leg? For this I have no answer. However, I do know that since that day Matthew has never missed a beat. His smile and his loving spirit have never shined brighter than they do now.  He continues to make any impossible situation completely possible. I have never met another person on this planet with the determination that he has.  To simply put it, with the exception of the obvious physical difference, you would never know that something this tragic happened to a little four year old boy playing in a yard. This morning when I helped him put on his leg, I just kissed his forehead, knowing that as easy as it would be to be depressed on this day, I am absolutely the happiest man in the world.  In the big scheme of things, it’s just a leg. My challenge to everyone reading this is to let everyone you know how dangerous lawn equipment can be, and to please be safe when using it. Also, live and love each day as it’s your last!

June 2011

Wow what a busy two months Matthew has had. He celebrated his 7th birthday, completed first grade and attended the annual amputee conference in Kansas City, Missouri. Matthew celebrated his birthday in fine style by hanging out with his friends and family at his favorite amusement park, Frankie’s! After taking his sister to school on the go-carts, he then rode the water boats, played video games and smashed some softballs in the batting cage. Matthew worked really hard this year on his reading at school.  His final report card showed that all of his dedication paid off as he has been promoted to second grade! At the amputee conference Matthew made some new friends and reconnected with some friends from past conferences. The biggest surprise however was when he found out that Uncle Andy and his son Evan drove in from St. Louis to spend some time with him.  While hanging out in Kansas City, Matthew attended a Kansas City Royals baseball game, an arena football game and spent a lot of time learning about new products and technology.  It is such a positive experience for Matt meet, play and hang out with other amputee children. 

April 2011

Matthew is doing very well.  He is back in physical therapy to get some new tips about his gait pattern and to learn some new exercise techniques. The therapy is going well, and Matthew really like Ms. Laurie! Matthew continues to improve in his reading and has really taken off in math. He also won the Character Award this month at school. Matthew had an early birthday present waiting on him when he arrived home from school last week, a Woodplay swing set. Matthew and Samantha (and their neighborhood friends) absolutely love it.

February 2011

Hello all!  I have some really great news to share.  This was the first full month that Matt has worn his new leg, and everything has worked out really well! I would like to give big props to Eddie and his awesome crew at Beacon Prosthetics and Orthotics in Raleigh for building his new leg. Matt’s new leg has the total knee and the top of the line pediatric foot that was donated to him by College Park Industries -Thank You! He is walking more smoothly and is making cuts and turns that he could not do in his old model. The new leg is also a lot easier for Matt to put on.  For the design, Matt picked flames and a blue dragon! Matthew continues to do well in school and has the best attitude towards life. He is a constant remind to me that every day that life is short and we have to love the people around us. Thank you everyone who continues to support the cause and who has helped turn a tragedy into a victory! P.S.- His front teeth have all started to grow back in!

January 2011

Happy New Year everyone! The month of December was very busy for Matthew.  He is in the midst of having his third prosthetic leg built.  It has a brand new “total” knee and the best foot known to pediatrics prosthetics. He was able to test it out last week and after a few more minor changes, he should be ready to hit the ground running by the end of the month.  Matthew enjoyed the holidays with family and friends. Matthew also enjoyed the unusual volume of snow that came a few weeks ago.  On a side note, Matthew lost all four of his front teeth this month (two top and two bottom). At this rate the tooth fairy is going to have to file Chapter 13 bankruptcy.