Driving Back to Weekes

Everyone is driving back to Weekes after another tough day of rehab.
Matt said the rehab staff are very adament about pre-stretching, so that will take up 50% of his exercise regime.
First on the exercise agenda was a wall mount. The staff sat Matt up in front of the wall and helped him place his arms on the wall above his head. It is to encourage Matt to keep his posture straight. Then they got Matt to do circles with his arms (like we used to do warm-ups to a volleyball/basketball game. Spent 1/2 hour on the total gym and had Matt lift 50 lbs with his legs sitting at a 45 degree angle. So Matt had to also hold his own weight up. Matt found the weights too light, and they added another 20lbs. Matt felt he could have went up even more so next week they will start him on 100lbs!!
No bike today, as Matt's legs were completely spent .Matt says he feels good, physically and mentally. What a boost to his self esteem! I think Matt was very nervous prior to starting rehab. He is quite competitive when it comes to physical strength and was worried he wouldn't be able to do much. I think back to when we tried to stand Matt without the standing frame and it took 4 people and he could only stand for a few minutes. So all those exercises Matt does everyday really did help.
More good news to come!
On a side note, we sold our van! I am so sad in some ways. It has so many memories and loved so many of the features, especially now that winter has come and the truck just doesn't measure up on slippery roads. But glad to have the money in the bank.

Mom arrived

Mom drove down to Regina to see Matt in action. She was a bit surprised to see so little equipment at the Wellness Center, but they seem to do well with what they have in place.
The first hour was spent just focusing on stretching. Mom really likes the people helping in rehab. The rehab staff (Andy and Owen)were so surprised on how much mobility Matt has with the severity of his injury. Surprisinly, the percentage rate of walking is 12% and The First Steps Wellness Center has already reached that goal, so we hope Matt will be bring the percentage rate up even more!
Matt stood today without a standing frame. He starts from a sitting position with some cushions under his bum. They place a transfer belt around his bum to help Matt stand, but Matt must use his own legs to get up and then must use his own legs to stand. The rehab staff are there to assist but really encourage him to do as much as he can on his own.
The staff can't believe how much core muscle Matt has. To test his strength, Matt sits on the plinth (table)and puts a 30% wedge behind his back with his legs dangling like he is reclined in chair. They made Matt sit up on his own. It took almost all his strength to do it and really struggled, but he did it!!!
They did some testing on Matt's left arm. Of course it wasn't great but they figure he has enough to work with. The shoulder is something they are working on to make it more functional. Long way to go with the arm, that is for sure.
With the anti-spasm medication, the therapists suggested Matt should decrease the amount of baclofen he is on, which must be down slowly.
I am trying to imagine Matt on a bike. Apparently they tried Matt on the the bike yesterday and he did really well. Today was not as good because he was so tired from the previous exercises.
The therapists also tried to get Matt on his knees and elbows but couldn't get him to stay in that position. They will try a different position tomorrow.
I am so excited about Matt giving rehab another try. It must be difficult to do (as we all know how difficult it is for the rest of us to get up and get exercise after a long hiatus!)Hopefully there is more in store, and lots more to write!

Matt's 1st Day

First off I wanted to correct my previous blog statement. It is not Project Walk, it is called First Steps Wellness Center. Also Matt, dad and Charity are staying at the Obasa Suites and it it quite nice. The only thing is there is only one bed and Matt gets it! Dad sleeps on the couch (likes it because it is leather) and Charity gets the mattress on the floor.
The first hour of rehab today they worked on Matt's legs and left arm, stretching and light exercises. The 2nd hour they transferred Matt onto what is called a total gym. It is set at a 45 degree angle so Matt's head is elevated. The therapist then asks Matt to do modified squats. So Matt bends his knees up and down. When Matt is fully extended his left knee locks in place (Matt is unable to move it) so the therapist needs to help him a bit.
The therapists then transfer Matt to the floor. There are no lifts in this place so the therapists need to do everything manually. Once Matt is on the floor, the therapist asked Matt to roll over onto his tummy. Matt hasn't done this for years so he had to figure out how to do it. He soon came up with the idea to swing his right leg over the left and the momentum of his hips will help him roll over and he did it!! We are so proud of you Matt!! Not bad for your first day.
The therapist then asked Matt to roll from tummy to back and Matt used his right arm to do this. It was much easier then back to tummy. I guess one must learn to roll before crawling, and then on to walking!!
With help, the therapist got Matt to kneel, placed a box in front of him and Matt's arms are placed on top. The therapist asked Matt to straighten his back to tuck in his gut. Matt was able to straighten up himself leaning on the box. The first few times were easy but it became harder after that. Just like any exercises, anytime we start a new one it is difficult!
So Matt's first day of rehab was quite exciting, and I think Matt surprised himself on what he could do. Matt was tired when he first finished, but feels good now. It feels so good to write about active therapy again, and hope everyone will keep tuned in!!

Loooong Time!

We had decided to stop writing in Matt's blog as things were too busy and I couldn't keep up. However to get everyone up to date, Matt will write on facebook as well.
Matt had bought a new Ford F150 Ecoboost to pull his camper and we managed to transfer him into the front seat. It was so great to see him out of his wheelchair, sitting in the front seat like he did prior to his injury.
We had a great reunion in Weekes and loved to see all the family. I am so thankful for the terrific bunch we have and love them all to pieces! We always have such a blast.
Matt has started in a Project Walk program in Regina. It has been a long time coming and Matt was pretty nervous. However today they did an assessment to see what they would work on and already are making recommendations. Matt will attend 4 hours a day, 5 days a week with intensive therapy specifically for spinal cord injuries. Dad and Matt's new caregiver Charity are with him. Mom is in Weekes for another week and when I called her to see how things were, she commented that this is the first time in over 4 years she has had the house to herself! It was so quiet she kept hearing noises and had a hard time sleeping.
We are sure missing them here in Red Deer, and the girls keep asking where grandma is. Everytime we drive into town Shaunie wants to go to Uncle Matt's to watch treehouse!
We received our first snowfall Nov. 1 but have very little on the ground. Still having plus weather after a fantastic fall. It is bound to get cold soon though, and we are getting ready for the cold. Winter tires, heated dog house and heated water bowl for Rosco, winter jackets and pants, etc. Back to overheating in the vehicle and freezing when the kids get out on the playground at school. Oh well.
Hope a few people will start to read the blog again. Thanks to all who continue to show interest in Matt's progress.