August 31st, 2009

I'm sorry I have not been updating on here but I'm very busy with planning and coordinating this tournament. Please go to matts dads blog and read about matts progress. I promise after the tournament is over ill be back on track!
Speaking of the tournament... I know that all of you want to see Matt back on his feet again. In order to continue his therapy and get him what he needs we have to raise money. Im really reaching out to all of you right now and asking for everyones help. We need to get this tournament talked about. We need players, I'm having a really hard time getting players for this tournament. If you do not golf, but know of people that golf please pass along the information. I can't stress how important this is. MAtt has all the potential in the world to be back to the young man that we all love and miss. I know I want more than anything for him to just say "what's up"?
Please keep his tournament in your prayers. Thank you!!

See July 31st entry for golf entry form and details of the tournament.

2nd Annual Matt Ruiz Benefit Golf Tournament

It's that time again for friends and family to come together in support of Matt.

Here are links to the Entry Form and Poster for you to print out and/or send in.

Download/Print Entry Form: Click Here
Download/Print Poster: Click Here

As many of you are aware, Matt Ruiz was involved in a devastating car accident last year on the eve of March 28, 2008. Our family has been blessed to have the outpouring of support and encouragement of out friends and community members including you.

As a result of Matt’s accident, he struggled through a month-long coma and was hospitalized for a period of approximately five (5) months. It goes without saying that Matt’s condition is serious and both he and out entire family strive every day to remain positive as we face immeasurable medical challenges with him. It was determined, after tests, that Matt has sustained a traumatic brain injury from the impact of the accident.

What this means for Matt is that he is currently confined to a wheelchair is unable to speak and absorbs nutrients through a feeding tube. At present, his condition has been quite grim, however, Matt has recently made strides with his full-time caretakers and occupational therapist. While we’re excited to continue this level of care for Matt, we are unable to afford the prohibitive costs. Our family believes that with continued support and the proper medical attention that Matt will prevail. We know his spirit coupled with the continued support of our family and friends that Matt will transcend this tragedy to eventually triumph.

We’re writing to share of Matt’s progress and also to respectfully ask for your help and direct support. We’re teaming up with both Vision International and the Maderas Golf Club to host a fun-filled Golf Outing, to raise funds that will go directly to continue funding further care for Matt.

We invite you to join in the festivities and become a member of Matt’s winning team. We would be honored to have you with us for the day of golf scheduled for Friday, September 25, 2009 at 1 p.m. entry cost is $150.00 and/or we would welcome your consideration in providing a charitable contribution to our planned auction and opportunity drawing.

Any donations provided by a private person or organization would receive prominent recognition at our opportunity drawing/live auction display area and verbal acknowledgement in the presence of all guests.

On behalf of both Matt and our family, thank you in advance for your consideration of our request. If you have any questions, or if we may provide you with anything additional, please contact me directly as (760) 484-2767. We hope you can be with us.

With tremendous hope and gratitude,

Lindsey Smith (Matt’s Girlfriend)

Benefit Coordinator

Here are links to the Entry Form and Poster for you to print out and/or send in.

Download/Print Entry Form: Click Here
Download/Print Poster: Click Here

Golf Registration Form

Hi everyone, as you can see I have put up a registration form for everyone to take a look at. If you are interested in playing, sponsoring, or donating please let me know asap so i can get a registration form to you. This year we have a tax ID number from our main sponsor Vision International. If anyone has any questions please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you!

July 3rd, 2008

July 2nd I went to speech therapy w/ Matt. I Really pushed him to do what we asked of him. I sorta stepped in and took over because I wanted results. Matt has to be pushed. He needs continuous pushing to do what we know he can do. Its what I like to call tough love. Its hard to be gruff with him but He did it. We also have to be excited about the things we are asking him to do. For example the girls at SDSU hooked a radio up to a push button, so all Matt had to do was push and hold the button to play music. If we get excited to hear the music and get into it then it will excite him more to do it. He does get a little angry when we raise our voices and really push at one thing, but he will do it.
That same Night I came over and watched a movie with him. I laid in his bed next to him while watching the movie. I turned my body sideways to the left. I Fell asleep and when I woke up he had snuggled up next to me, arms around me, head on mine.Opening my eyes to see his sleeping face next to mine felt so amazing! It felt normal again. I wanted to freeze time and remember it forever! When I get those moments with him my heart just aches. It makes me want more and more.
Today I went over to his house and stood on the bench over him and made him push his right hand up to me. I Had him place his hand on my thigh and move it down half way to my knee, then back up for arm control. Every time I told him to reach for me he did. He continued doing this with me for about 10 minutes. You can only keep Matt's attention for a short period of time with certain things unless he enjoys what he's doing.
We had alone time together which we don't normally have, so it was nice. He really focused on what I was saying. I really felt like I had my boyfriend back. It was a pretty amazing feeling. I got Lots of kisses. Communication between us was pretty amazing too. I'd ask for a kiss and he would give me one. I asked for a hug and he would give me one.
I told him while I was crying like a baby, (I really need to stop doing that) that I needed him back. I just missed him like crazy! I needed him to get better, I just needed him to tell me everything will be okay. He just lifted his arm up and put it on my shoulder, and I buried my face in his chest. I kind of felt bad afterward because He had a tear in his eye. I told him I was sorry for being so emotional, It's just that there are days and moments that I can't deal with it all and I just want to snap my fingers and have everything go back to normal. I want him so badly. There's so much going on in my life that I want to share with him and do with him.
I know there is light at the end of this road though and that's why I'm holding on to him. If I have to, I'll hold on forever.

June 28th, 2009

Today Matts family was up from Anaheim. We had a nice bbq and got to see his cousins 8 week old baby Daniel. It was so incredibly hot it Ramona today that we spent most of the time inside but yesterday his dad took Matt out and put his feet in the pool. Matt really liked it. Matt did something cool today. I was finishing up feeding him and he started to get a cranky look on his face. Then he started grinding his teeth. So I asked him what was wrong. He started grumbling so I said van you show me what wrong? He lifted his right arm up and touched his shoulder. So I asked him does it hurt? Do you have an itch? And he started scratching his shoulder. I told him to point where and I would help him out. He pointed and I scratched it for him. You could see when I started scratching he just relaxed. I thought that was pretty amazing because I've been telling him he has to start communicating how he feels. So today was a perfect example! I was so proud of him! If he can continue to do those little things and communicate like that, it shows progress. Now we just have to get him to do these things at his therapy sessions.
In the last month I have been super busy with school and work and I haven't been around as much as I used to. Matt has definitely noticed that I haven't been around as much and his attitude has changed. His parents noticed a change in his participation and just his attitude alone. And we connected it to me not being around as much. I'm going to try and go to his speech therapy sessions at SDSU after I get out of class. Hopefully he'll start participating more.
So just pray that he will start giving speech therapy more of a chance and that he won't get bored.

Father's Day

Yesterday we took Matt to the Del Mar Fair Grounds...or known as the San Diego County Fair. It was a beautiful day. His Mom, Dad, Britt, and I went. We had a great time! I think Matt really enjoyed going out and seeing different things too. I think being in the exhibit halls though might have gotten to be a little much for him though. But it turned out to be a great fathers day for his dad. =)

Today I was over there and I gave Matt the squirt gun and he started shooting me. His Mom started that with his last week and he really likes it! Looks like we will be having squirt gun wqars in the back yard this summer!!! =) Here's a Picture!

Matt Ruiz 2nd Annual Golf Benefit

Here's the info for Matt's Golf Benefit that I am having for him!

Matt Ruiz 2nd Annual Golf Benefit

Sponsored by: Vision International

When: September 25th, 2009

Where: Maderas Golf Club

Check In Time: 11:00am

Tee Time: 1:00pm

Cocktails: 6:00pm

Dinner: 6:45pm

Cost: $150.00 (includes Golf and Dinner)

Dinner Only: $50.00

There Will be a sign up on here soon. I'm trying to get everything up and going as fast as I can. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me. Email: lrsmith31@yahoo.comWe are still looking for sponsors too!

Hope we see you all there!!!!

Lots of Love,

Lindsey