The Holidays were fine, but I’m really glad they’re over. December was rough for me emotionally sometimes its tough to keep a positive attitude. Thankfully I had a lot of support from my family and timely visits from my friends, which I am VERY grateful for. If I had a friend off with anyone else I’m quite certain I would win hands down. I’m not boasting because it has very little to do with me I’m just lucky.
I’m not entirely sure why I was so down. Maybe it was the harsh realities of being paralyzed setting in. Or as the ski season set in I knew that, at least for this year, I would not be partaking in one of my favorite past times. I wouldn’t be enjoying that weightless poetry of floating over the crystalline paradise feeling the cold smoke sting my face obscuring my view turn after turn. I’m realizing that my passion for the outdoors, my passion for chasing the white demon in the beautiful mountains and then chasing it again as it flees to the sea was more than recreation it was a lifestyle that I loved more than anything maybe even anyone…just being honest. So adjustments have to be made. While I still look forward to participating in the sports I love so much, I’ve learned that true friendship transcends all. Our ability to perform physically is a constantly changing thing in good ways and bad, but true friendships just continue to grow and develop. It is and has been one of the few consistencies in my life. During this time I realize the importance of good friends now more than ever. I realize the importance of having good friends and the importance of being a good friend. My hope is that I'm as good a friend as my friends are to me.
Speaking of friends. Did I mention I have some great friends? On January 29th my friends put together a raffle to raise money to assist me on my road to recovery. The drawing was held at Caldera Tap House and the place was packed. My friends raised a bunch of money and it was Caldera’s biggest night next to their grand opening. More importantly it was a fun event and seeing all my friends together like that makes me get all choked up. Thank you! You guys rock!!
So, what’s new for me? Right now, I’m working on purchasing a standing frame and applying to Project Walk. Trying to work out the logistics for getting down there including living arrangements, care giving, and how long. I’m hoping to be there by March, but we’ll see. I’m going for sure it’s just a matter of working the logistics out.
Physically I continue to get stronger. My left tricep has improved by 400%. I still can't lift the weight of my arm with it, but it IS getting stronger. Lot's of little gains will add up to a big gain eventually.
That’s all I got for now.
I want to send a huge thanks to Darin, Kyle and Shaggy for putting a bunch of work to pull the raffle off, everyone who attended or bought tickets, all the businesses that donated, and Caldera for being a gracious host. This event just proves the outdoor community is a tight family that I’m proud to be a part of!
Keeping the faith,
Matt
Matt
