I have been bugging Matt to go a do something for the last year and I think he was finally tired of listening to me harp at him he finally relented. The paraplegic Society was having a two day course on living an fruitful life. It was 2 full days, Tuesday and Wednesday. Nolan came from Calgary on Sunday night so was able to take Matt both days. The first day was hard because Matt was not used to getting up so early and it was hard to stay focused. However Monday night he was so tired that he slept really well and Wednesday was much better.
I asked what it was about and the speaker asked each person of one thing they would change about themselves. Of course all the attendees were in wheelchairs or had other disabilities and most said they would love to be walking or back to their normal self. The speaker then asked if it was actually something they could change and all replied no. He then asked why they would focus so much on something they couldn't change anyway and start re-focusing on something they could actually change. To illustrate, he showed them a video with two teams with 3 players on each team. One team was dressed in black and one team was dressed in white. Each team had a basketball and you had to count how many passed the white team makes. To make it even more difficult, the teams keep moving. At the end of the video, the question it asked is "did you see the gorilla?" Apparently a gorilla had walked with the group and not one of the attendees had seen it. It was showing you how you can focus so much on one thing that you miss other opportunities right in front of your nose.
Matt said it was really good and meet some new people, so that was great.
We are trying to encourage him to socialize more, however after he saw what happened to the fellow in the wheelchair in Australia, Matt gets worried all over again. For those of you who didn't see it, a guy from Canada is in a wheelchair and was visiting in Australia. He was going to catch the train when two teenagers came up to him and started to beat him with fists, a metal bar, and then he fell over out of his chair and they started to kick him. They apparently didn't steal anything and the Canadian is in critical condition from serious head injuries. The world is made up of all kinds and Matt does get worried about being unable to defend himself. Pray that Matt will try and look past those that will do him harm and see the good in people, that the majority would only try and be helpful.
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Dear Matthew. We have all been thinking of you and your well-being for the last two and a half years. I know it must seem endless to you but you CAN do more and get stronger. We are just watching the paralympics and those guys and girls are amazing.
We only want the best for you and would love to see you get more involved with other people in your position. You are such a fun, easy going guy and would make friends quickly. You just have to have faith in yourself like we all do.
We are all hoping you will take the big step and go take some classes this fall. You are such a smart young man and would do very well.
I know it is easy for all of us to talk but we all love you so very much and just want the very best for you. You can do anything you want to do as long as you aim high.
You can't dwell on what happened to the wheelchair guy in Australia. That is one incident.
Thinking of you always and we will see you in Weekes on the 9th of April.
Love Always Aunty Sandy
Hey Matt, Sounds like the conference was terrific. I think the question could be for any one of us including me, who focuses on things that I can't change instead of focusing on the things I can change. Great eye opener. What happened in Australia doesn't happen everywhere or always. Probably 1 in a zillion so press on.
Well, it's late AGAIN. Seems like I don't know what it means to go to bed. Always too much on my mind!!
Take care.
The Hertz's
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