Warming Up

Thank goodness the weather is improving. We still have quite a bit of snow in the yard but can now see some patches of road. I had taken Jonmarie to West Edmonton Mall On Friday and they have much less snow then we do. I wanted Matt to come with but he isn't quite ready yet. He likes to stay at places that are familiar to him, has always been like that. Would prefer to stay close to home and be with family.
Last week Matt went bowling with the recreational therapist and a few other patients. Cecilia took a great video from her phone but I couldn't beam it onto my phone. This bowling alley is great, really equipped for people with disabilities. On the one side of the bowling alley is regular bowling. On the other they have bumpers to prevent the ball from going in the gutter. Then they have stands that are shaped like a slide and Matt could just put his ball on the top of the stand, push it a little bit and the ball would go down the "slide" and eventually make it to the end where the pins are. Next they had Matt try and throw the ball using his right hand, and the therapist would just steady the elbow. He was able to do that a few times and almost beat one of the other patients. With Matt, it is all about the competition!
On the weekend Matt had company and was great to see Travis and Amy. Mom and I went to a baby shower so Airene and Cecilia came for the afternoon. They tried to get Matt to do some exercises but he is so exhausted from the week he didn't work as hard as he usually does. Think he just needs a break. Was very quiet and just said sometimes he gets mentally tired of thinking and trying so hard all the time. But Matt always pulls himself back and gives his all come Monday. Prayers that God continues to give Matt the strength to persevere. Today he was really exhausted. Margaret had him doing abdominal work and even I hate that! He said it was so tiring and didn't want to do anything until tomorrow.
Left hand and arm are noticeable getting better as long as he is feeling well. He is able to close it into a tighter fist than before and when laying on his right side with his left propped on a pillow, can move it off the pillow onto his hip (if not too much of a difference in height). Matt also practices lifting his left hand with his right hand and put it over his head. Good for strengthening his right and reminds his left what it should be doing.
Tomorrow is Matt's month end family conference so prayers that they will continue to keep Matt as long as possible.