Alrightt golfers and sponsors!! We are just about a month away from the tournament and its time to start getting things together. Matt needs all of your help so here's your chance to give back for a wonderful person that has given so much to all of us! We need sponsors for the holes and donations of any kind. Everything and anything helps. The more we can raise the better treatment and care matt will get, and that means the sooner we will have him with us all again! You can sponsor a hole at a minimum of $75 or if you have a business that can donate for the raffle that would be wonderful as well. You can come and play in Matts tournament on October 4th for only $90, or if you don't play golf but want to help out you can also donate to Matts recovery. Please make all checks payable to Matt Ruiz and in the memo please put what its for. Example: if its a deposit for golfing out deposit, if its a donation write donation, if its for sponsoring a hole write sponser.
Places where you can sign up to play are at Ramona Lutheran church/school, Spirit of Joy church, San Vicente Pro Shop, email me at lrsmith31@yahoo.com, or you can always call my cell number 760-484-2767. I would like to have the $45 deposit by September 13th. You can mail the deposits, donations and or sponsorships to my home address at 24005 Nectar Way ramona, 92065.
Thank you to everyone that has signed up and gotten your deposits in. Also thank you to everyone who has donated to the raffle and offered your services the day of the tournament. Every little bit helps.
Thanks again for the support,
Lindsey Smith
Saturday, August 30, 2008
best day ever! August 30th, 2008
Today matt had his first visit from his therapists that his parents hired outside of his insurance. This guy was an answer to all of our prayers!! He is proactive, to the point, hard working, and aggressive. Everything that Matt needs. He stretched out Matt and got him to loosen up. Matt seemed so relieved to have his body stretched out like that. You could just see it on his face. His therapist also buy Matt in shoes and socks and say him up out of bed! To see matt sitting up out of bed with clothes and shoes on was overwhelming. I couldn't help but let my tears stream down my face. I was so happy to see Matt like that. Its Been so long since I've seen him like that. Matt did so well too. He handled all of the things he was having him do. The longer matt was out of bed the more relaxed he became. After he was sitting for a while he lifted Matt up to his feet and had Matt standing! It was just the most wonderful feeling of excitement! He looked so good, he was doing so good. Seeing Matt standing up was all I needed to see and know that Matt is still fighting to get better. I don't even know how to describe everything that happened today. All I know is that I got goose bumps, and a wonderful feeling!
He tolerated so much today and was such a good sport. Next week the therapist will come 3 times a weeks for 2-3 hours a session. This is so encouraging! I can't wait to see what the next couple of weeks will bring us! Matt is on his way to recovery. :)
He tolerated so much today and was such a good sport. Next week the therapist will come 3 times a weeks for 2-3 hours a session. This is so encouraging! I can't wait to see what the next couple of weeks will bring us! Matt is on his way to recovery. :)
Thursday, August 28, 2008
August 28th, 2008
Well Matt is home. Its going to take a while to get into a routine but so far so good. Lisa, his mom is taking full time care of him and doing an amazing job. Matt seems a lot more relaxed now that he is home. He has the comfort of his family, dogs, and friends everyday. So much better than being in a hospital room 24/7.
Its nice to have him at home and not have to waste so much time in the day driving. Its also nice not driving back to ramona at 1am in the morning! I think this move was the best thing for all of us. I can definitely see a difference in everyone. We don't have all the stress that we had before.
The outside therapist that his parents hired will be out on Saturday for his first visit with matt. Hopefully ill have More information for everyone then. Matt has continued to work hard at his exercising though. He's getting buff! :)there is definitely a lot of changes in him since a week ago. So he's moving in the right direction.
Its nice to have him at home and not have to waste so much time in the day driving. Its also nice not driving back to ramona at 1am in the morning! I think this move was the best thing for all of us. I can definitely see a difference in everyone. We don't have all the stress that we had before.
The outside therapist that his parents hired will be out on Saturday for his first visit with matt. Hopefully ill have More information for everyone then. Matt has continued to work hard at his exercising though. He's getting buff! :)there is definitely a lot of changes in him since a week ago. So he's moving in the right direction.
Monday, August 25, 2008
August 25th, 2008
Matts coming home today!!! He's getting released this afternoon! Thank you God! Five months and he's finally coming home! I can't even begin to express how I feel right now. Someone pinch me because it doesn't feel real!
I really want to share with you something that his mom, dad and I all got to witness last night. I started noticing a few days ago that matt has become really aware to touch and feeling. So I was touching his fingers and workinging his fingers when he started doing the same thing. He was mimicing me and what I was doing. So I then touched his hand and told him that was his hand and to touch his hand. He did. I then touched his wrist and arm and told him to touch his arm. He did that. I touched his chest and rubbed his chest, told him to do that as well. And he did! I told him to touch his neck and face and he did that as well. When he went to touch his face he pulled his head off the bed to reach for his hand. I also moved my fingers in front of him and told him to look at his hand and move his fingers, he did. I told him to move his move his mouth and use his words. I moved my mouth and pointed to my lips for him to concentrate on them. He did this as well. Not words but he was moving his mouth. He was trying. Is that not the most amazing thing?! I wanted to just squeeze him and yell! I am so proud of him! He really didn't have that much of a delay either.
Later that night I tried the touching thing again. I asked him to touch my lips and feel them move as I talked. He brought his finger up to my lips and touched my mouth. I asked him to touch my face, he moved his fingers to my face. It was amazing! It was an answer to five months of prayers! Last but not least I ask him to point at me if I loved him. I said do I love you, who loves you, point at me if you know I love you. He opened his fingers and points his index finger at me!
I don't even know if I can ever put into words how I felt last night. What he did was something that a lot of people tbought he would never ever do again. But he has done it! He's coming back to us. He's really going to come back to us. I never thought I would be so satisfied with just this but I am! Because its matts personality coming out. Its him. And now he's coming home. :)
I really want to share with you something that his mom, dad and I all got to witness last night. I started noticing a few days ago that matt has become really aware to touch and feeling. So I was touching his fingers and workinging his fingers when he started doing the same thing. He was mimicing me and what I was doing. So I then touched his hand and told him that was his hand and to touch his hand. He did. I then touched his wrist and arm and told him to touch his arm. He did that. I touched his chest and rubbed his chest, told him to do that as well. And he did! I told him to touch his neck and face and he did that as well. When he went to touch his face he pulled his head off the bed to reach for his hand. I also moved my fingers in front of him and told him to look at his hand and move his fingers, he did. I told him to move his move his mouth and use his words. I moved my mouth and pointed to my lips for him to concentrate on them. He did this as well. Not words but he was moving his mouth. He was trying. Is that not the most amazing thing?! I wanted to just squeeze him and yell! I am so proud of him! He really didn't have that much of a delay either.
Later that night I tried the touching thing again. I asked him to touch my lips and feel them move as I talked. He brought his finger up to my lips and touched my mouth. I asked him to touch my face, he moved his fingers to my face. It was amazing! It was an answer to five months of prayers! Last but not least I ask him to point at me if I loved him. I said do I love you, who loves you, point at me if you know I love you. He opened his fingers and points his index finger at me!
I don't even know if I can ever put into words how I felt last night. What he did was something that a lot of people tbought he would never ever do again. But he has done it! He's coming back to us. He's really going to come back to us. I never thought I would be so satisfied with just this but I am! Because its matts personality coming out. Its him. And now he's coming home. :)
Saturday, August 23, 2008
I love you this much! August 23rd, 2008
I love you this much...
Enough to do anything for you~ give my life, heart, and soul to you.
Enough to want to protect you, care for you, hold you, and comfort you.
Enough to share all my dreams, fears, and hopes with you.
Enough to miss you incredibly when we're apart.
Enough to spend the rest of my life with you.
~Lisa M. Thomas
Matt when I saw this quote, I thought of us. Each saying had something to do with us and the unfortunate accident that has happened.
If I could I would trade places with you. If I could have I would have protected you from this harm, I couldn't so instead I will care for you, hold you and comfort you each day until you get better. My dreams came true the day we met, my fears came true the day I thought that I had lost you, and my hope is for a bright future. I've been missing you everyday since you have been gone, But we are not apart because I am always with you.
And well, you know since day one I've wanted to spend the rest of my life with you. If I have to I'll wait forever.You would be worth it.
I keep hoping that one day you will read this and know just how much I love you. I sure hope you know now as you lay there in the hospital. My heart has never left you and it never will. Keep fighting for your bright future Matt! I love you. And one day we will be together again.
Enough to do anything for you~ give my life, heart, and soul to you.
Enough to want to protect you, care for you, hold you, and comfort you.
Enough to share all my dreams, fears, and hopes with you.
Enough to miss you incredibly when we're apart.
Enough to spend the rest of my life with you.
~Lisa M. Thomas
Matt when I saw this quote, I thought of us. Each saying had something to do with us and the unfortunate accident that has happened.
If I could I would trade places with you. If I could have I would have protected you from this harm, I couldn't so instead I will care for you, hold you and comfort you each day until you get better. My dreams came true the day we met, my fears came true the day I thought that I had lost you, and my hope is for a bright future. I've been missing you everyday since you have been gone, But we are not apart because I am always with you.
And well, you know since day one I've wanted to spend the rest of my life with you. If I have to I'll wait forever.You would be worth it.
I keep hoping that one day you will read this and know just how much I love you. I sure hope you know now as you lay there in the hospital. My heart has never left you and it never will. Keep fighting for your bright future Matt! I love you. And one day we will be together again.
August 23, 2008
Well we were suppose to take matt home yesterday but unfortunately his blood level wasn't where it needed to be. So we are still here. Good news is that they should get this controlled by Monday and send him home either Monday or Tuesday. Crossing my fingers!
We have everything ready at home for him so now its just waiting for him. We are all on the same page that by bringing matt home he will continue to make progress. We will have a therapist come out to the house and work with him as well as us each day.
Matt has continued to show great signs of enprovement.He moves his legs and arms, he has a strong cough, he sneezes and burps. He does so many natural things now. Its really encouraging. Everything in his brain is starting to come back together and heal. It will be a slow process but at least he's moving in the right direction. If this keeps up then matt will be on his way to a miracle recovery.
Keep your prayers going as we try and bring him home.
We have everything ready at home for him so now its just waiting for him. We are all on the same page that by bringing matt home he will continue to make progress. We will have a therapist come out to the house and work with him as well as us each day.
Matt has continued to show great signs of enprovement.He moves his legs and arms, he has a strong cough, he sneezes and burps. He does so many natural things now. Its really encouraging. Everything in his brain is starting to come back together and heal. It will be a slow process but at least he's moving in the right direction. If this keeps up then matt will be on his way to a miracle recovery.
Keep your prayers going as we try and bring him home.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Golf Tournament!!!
Don't forget to sign up to play in matts golf tournament! Its going to be a lot of fun. Golf, sun, drinks, food,raffle, prizes, friends, and its all for matt! How can you not want to come out and play?
Send your deposit to me 24005 nectar way ramona, CA 92065.
Send your deposit to me 24005 nectar way ramona, CA 92065.
August 17th, 2008
Matt continues to amaze us! Today his mom was exercising him and asked him to touch his chin. Slowly he moved his finger to his chin. He did that a few times I guess. His dad was stretching his legs and asked him to push back, slowly he pushed his leg back. Everyday when matt sleeps he repositions himself. Its amazing to watch because it looks like matts just Napping. They had him sittig up in his chair for over 2 hours. He also was holding his head up on his own for over an hour. Tonight when I walked in he was sleeping and when I said hi and kissed his forehead, I startled him. Its so good to see him improving each day.
Matts hospital bed will be delivered on Thursday. And hopefully this week we will hear back from sharp or kaiser about his evaluation.
Continue your prayers during this week for good news from these hospitals.
Matts hospital bed will be delivered on Thursday. And hopefully this week we will hear back from sharp or kaiser about his evaluation.
Continue your prayers during this week for good news from these hospitals.
Friday, August 15, 2008
August 15th, 2008
What an answer to prayers! Yesterday a sharp rehab doctor came in to evaluate matt again. Someone came 3 weeks ago. Only this time matt performed incredibly!!! Everything this doctor asked matt to do, he did it! For example, he asked him to put his arm out, to stick out his tongue, hold a finger up, and he did it all! Can we all just jump up and down because I have never been so proud of him! Take that palomar and kaiser doctors!
Also another great thing is that for the first time in almost 5 months, a doctor that works with brain injury patients actually told us that matt is not in a vegetative state! That he's in there he just needs more time to heal! But he said matt has made great progress since the last time they were in. Finally some good news! I have waited so long to hear those words! I've always had faith that he was in there and he just needed time but to hear it from an actual doctor, that's so comforting!
So now this doctor is going to recommend us for going to sharp to learn what we have to do to get matt where he needs to be to go to a rehab center. We aren't professionals but with the right training we will know how to get matt to that next step. We might not have him home yet but that was the best news we could have ever gotten!
Also happy birthday to Lisa (matts mom) from matt and I! He'll be home soon!
Also another great thing is that for the first time in almost 5 months, a doctor that works with brain injury patients actually told us that matt is not in a vegetative state! That he's in there he just needs more time to heal! But he said matt has made great progress since the last time they were in. Finally some good news! I have waited so long to hear those words! I've always had faith that he was in there and he just needed time but to hear it from an actual doctor, that's so comforting!
So now this doctor is going to recommend us for going to sharp to learn what we have to do to get matt where he needs to be to go to a rehab center. We aren't professionals but with the right training we will know how to get matt to that next step. We might not have him home yet but that was the best news we could have ever gotten!
Also happy birthday to Lisa (matts mom) from matt and I! He'll be home soon!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
August 12th, 2008
Something that is comforting is the fact that matt and I have a schedule. He knows that I come every night and I haven't missed one day since March 28th. He expects me to be there at least by 10 if not a few minutes after that. Only tonight was different, I was late. I got stuck at work.I didn't get there until after 1030. He was stressed. His nurse said he must have been missing me because once I got there and he saw that I was there he relaxed. There is one more step. Its memory, feelings, and anticipation. He's gotten into a routine. His brain is healing. With time it will all come cack. That is why I am still standing. Its like he knows right when I need a lift. He knows how to tell me in his way to keep trusting. How can I not?
Its amazing how you can cominicate through the heart. The one thing that I can put my life on is that matt is where he is due to all the love coming from everyone. Having love ones around him everyday is what keeps him fighting.
Its amazing how you can cominicate through the heart. The one thing that I can put my life on is that matt is where he is due to all the love coming from everyone. Having love ones around him everyday is what keeps him fighting.
Monday, August 11, 2008
August 10th, 2008
Matt did the most incredible thing tonight! He was lifting his right leg up and down while sitting in his wheelchair outside! His dad was doing range of motion with his legs and when he stopped Matt continueed doing it. We were yelling him to lift his leg and do the same thing as his dad was doing. He did for 5 to 10 minutes! Also he was sitting up in a wheelchair for over 2 hours! It was amazing! I wish I had a video camera because I want to show Matt how well he is doing!
Cross your fingers and hope that we will take him home this week. His parents will be going to orange county to look at a van that might possibly fit matts needs. Bringing him home would be such an answer to all of our prayers. To be able to get Matt in a shower, hang out around the house, smell his moms cooking, doing exercises in their pool, it will be great! We will all be able to relax and enjoy the end of summer.
The message in church was about feeling the holy spirit answer before that event even happens or how He gives you spiritual advice on how to make a decision. God had a plan on the 28th of March. It wasn't our plan but he was in control and he always was in control. We don't know why certain situations happen but if we know God is in control that will help ease our minds. God will never give us more than we can handle. It might feel like he does at times but he knows just how much we each can handle. You'd be surprised how much you can really handle, trust me I was and still am!
If I can bring comfort to anyone of you out there trust me when I tell you Matt is the most strongest person! I see it in him everyday. He fights to be back with us. One day he will. Even from the first time I stepped into that room on the 6th floor and I saw Matt, he was there. He was hurt, in a coma, and there were a lot of tubes but I felt his heart. He never left us. Ive always had a good feeling about this whole tragic event.
So to everyone out there that has been praying for Matt, me, his family thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Cross your fingers and hope that we will take him home this week. His parents will be going to orange county to look at a van that might possibly fit matts needs. Bringing him home would be such an answer to all of our prayers. To be able to get Matt in a shower, hang out around the house, smell his moms cooking, doing exercises in their pool, it will be great! We will all be able to relax and enjoy the end of summer.
The message in church was about feeling the holy spirit answer before that event even happens or how He gives you spiritual advice on how to make a decision. God had a plan on the 28th of March. It wasn't our plan but he was in control and he always was in control. We don't know why certain situations happen but if we know God is in control that will help ease our minds. God will never give us more than we can handle. It might feel like he does at times but he knows just how much we each can handle. You'd be surprised how much you can really handle, trust me I was and still am!
If I can bring comfort to anyone of you out there trust me when I tell you Matt is the most strongest person! I see it in him everyday. He fights to be back with us. One day he will. Even from the first time I stepped into that room on the 6th floor and I saw Matt, he was there. He was hurt, in a coma, and there were a lot of tubes but I felt his heart. He never left us. Ive always had a good feeling about this whole tragic event.
So to everyone out there that has been praying for Matt, me, his family thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Friday, August 8, 2008
August 8th, 2008
Well today was an interesting day. Wonderful kaiser again screws things up. Speech therapy came in and was feeding him Italian ice with a plastic spoon! Matt bit down on it and broke the spoon. He swallowed part of the spoon! So they had to get a doctor in right away to make sure it didn't get sucked into his lungs.thank God it did not. We then had to take him to gastro and stick a tube down his throat to see if there was anything in his stomach. They had to numb his throat with a spray and insert an IV just in case they found something and had to act quickly. They found nothing. So that means either it has passed through his stomach and he'll just pass it through or when they suctioned him earlier they sucked it out without knowing. Either way they put him through a lot today and it never should have happened! We have to get him out of there! They don't know how to take care of their patients.
Matt has come so far and they aren't helping us move forward.
Good news through! His wheel chair is being made and kaiser is going to give him a really nice shower chair which normally they don't cover. We just need a bed now. Then we will be all set to bring him home. Also his parents found a speech therapist that will come out to their home and work with Matt! I'm very excited about this!
There will be a link on matts other blog about signing a petition to the govoner. Please try and sign your name to it.
Matt has come so far and they aren't helping us move forward.
Good news through! His wheel chair is being made and kaiser is going to give him a really nice shower chair which normally they don't cover. We just need a bed now. Then we will be all set to bring him home. Also his parents found a speech therapist that will come out to their home and work with Matt! I'm very excited about this!
There will be a link on matts other blog about signing a petition to the govoner. Please try and sign your name to it.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
August 6th, 2008
Today was a difficult day. Not for Matt but for me. Matt's story was aired on channel 10 news this evening. It was great except I saw Matt's accident scene for the first time. Honestly I felt like I had been punched in the stomach. I couldn't breathe. I guess I always thought about what it would look like but never could i have ever been perpared for what it actually looked like. For those of you that do not have faith I hope you do now. Matt is a living, breathing miracle. God has put him here for a pupose.
I have to say that I was pretty down after I saw everything but then I looked at Matt and saw that he's right there. He's not where he was four months ago. He's come so far. Matt will show you if you give him time to show you, that he is in there and he's not giving up. He's a fighter and there's no way he'll give up now. Just tonight I sat on his bed and told him that I loved him and I believed in him. I told him I knew he would get through this. He starred at me with those big brown eyes and I knew that was his way of letting me know it's all okay. I asked him to just give me a noise, a sound, anything. I just wanted to hear his voice. He started moving his mouth and tongue. He was trying to talk. It was very obvious. He then let out a big sigh. Again I worked with him and told him to lift his head up and hold his head up from the pillow. Within 30 secconds Matt was lifting his head and holding it up. Again I worked with him only this time it was with his hands. I opened his hand and told him to relax, he did. I put my hand in his and told him to hold my hand. I was not holding his hand I just had my hand on top on his. I kept repeating myself telling him to hold my hand. Matt then grabbed my hand and held it. I then told him to squeeze my hand, he did that, then to squeeze it as hard as he could, and he did that! And let me tell you he is a strong boy!!
If Matt can do all of these things for me, his parents, etc. then why can't kaiser give him a chance at rehab? one way or the other Matt will get everything he needs. He's worth every cent! I just wish kaiser would see what I see. I wish they would get him the care he needs. Its not fair that they are just giving up on him.
As soon as we can we are bringing Matt home. Where he will be comfortable and where we can get him to the point where he can go to sharp or another rehab place. Please keep praying for some kind of miracle with kaiser.
As soon as we can we are bringing Matt home. Where he will be comfortable and where we can get him to the point where he can go to sharp or another rehab place. Please keep praying for some kind of miracle with kaiser.
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