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A positive and inspiring story of Matt Thomas recovering from a Spinal Cord Injury following a tragic mountain biking accident.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Saturday, July 14, 2012
3 Years and Still Not Giving Up
For you lazy readers and you A.D.D. victims the following are the highlights from this post:
First order of business is the 4th Annual Klamath River Benefit Bash! It's going down on August 18th with rafting starting at noon. Whitewater rafting, BBQ, music, swimming, volleyball, camping, and most importantly great people!! Do yourself a favor and be there!! The rafting is fun and safe and a great time for ALL skill levels check out http://www.awwrafting.com/ for more information about what the rafting is all about.
What: Fundraiser to help Matt walk again.
Where: Paradise Point (see picture below)
When: August 18th starting at noonFor more details and driving directions http://4thklamathbenefit.blogspot.com/
As you can see the location is beautiful so bring the whole family and conclude your summer with a fun weekend in the sun and water!
If you have any questions please contact me at mattnevergivesup@gmail.com.
Why am I trying to raise money?? I've been doing exercise based rehabilitation therapy at a place in Carlsbad, CA called Project Walk. I continue to make progress and as long as I keep making progress I want to go as long as I can. At this point in time, its the best chance I have at getting my mobility on again. A very important side benefit is that this therapy keeps my body in shape by maintaing muscle mass and bone density, which are pretty important for walking again.
The last couple months my legs have been crazy active making my work outs at Project Walk amazing and sleep challenging!! They're starting to really respond to the training! I have a long ways to go, but progress is encouraging!! It's amazing to me that even after 3 years I'm still making daily progress. The progress is impossibly slow, but its still progress and change is oh so good!! A huge development in last couple weeks is that I've been able support part of my weight on my legs with bent knees, which means my muscles are engaging!! Oh yeah!!! I don't have any pictures yet, but very soon I will. Below is a picture of me working on my core strength and balance...something I do a lot of!
I'm starting Graduate School through Colorado State University this fall. I'll be working on getting a Master's of Engineering in Water Resources and Management. If you're at all interested check it out: http://www.online.colostate.edu/degrees/civil-engineering/index.dot. I decided that it was time to broaden my definition of recovery. I can't afford to work yet due to my high caregiving needs that are covered as long as I'm not working, but won't be once I start. Therefore, I've decided to start grad school to prepare myself for the eventual day of working again. I was able to get a scholarship to cover all the tuition until I graduate through this amazing organization called Swim With Mike.
3-year anniversary! UGH!! Can't say that I was excited to see July 9th roll around again. I was really hoping that I'd be on my feet by now. If I dwell on that fact it can really get me down and be pretty discouraging. I miss my mobility and independence so much!!!!!! How do I deal with this overwhelming loss and sadness? I focus on all the blessings I have. I focus on the amazing progress I've made thus far and how that seemed impossible 3 years ago. I focus on that God is good and all things happen for a reason. I focus on the support I have from an AWESOME group of friends and family, which I'm so lucky to have!! YOU help me stay optimistic and positive! Thanks for your support!!
- 4th Annual Klamath River Benefit is AUGUST 18TH - rafting, food, music and great camping! BE THERE!!! See details below or this link http://4thklamathbenefit.blogspot.com/
- Starting graduate school in the fall and I got a scholarship yippee!
- 3-year anniversary on July 9th.
- Posted my documentary on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4T0CjXj7B4&feature=plcp
First order of business is the 4th Annual Klamath River Benefit Bash! It's going down on August 18th with rafting starting at noon. Whitewater rafting, BBQ, music, swimming, volleyball, camping, and most importantly great people!! Do yourself a favor and be there!! The rafting is fun and safe and a great time for ALL skill levels check out http://www.awwrafting.com/ for more information about what the rafting is all about.
What: Fundraiser to help Matt walk again.
Where: Paradise Point (see picture below)
When: August 18th starting at noonFor more details and driving directions http://4thklamathbenefit.blogspot.com/
As you can see the location is beautiful so bring the whole family and conclude your summer with a fun weekend in the sun and water!
If you have any questions please contact me at mattnevergivesup@gmail.com.
Why am I trying to raise money?? I've been doing exercise based rehabilitation therapy at a place in Carlsbad, CA called Project Walk. I continue to make progress and as long as I keep making progress I want to go as long as I can. At this point in time, its the best chance I have at getting my mobility on again. A very important side benefit is that this therapy keeps my body in shape by maintaing muscle mass and bone density, which are pretty important for walking again.
The last couple months my legs have been crazy active making my work outs at Project Walk amazing and sleep challenging!! They're starting to really respond to the training! I have a long ways to go, but progress is encouraging!! It's amazing to me that even after 3 years I'm still making daily progress. The progress is impossibly slow, but its still progress and change is oh so good!! A huge development in last couple weeks is that I've been able support part of my weight on my legs with bent knees, which means my muscles are engaging!! Oh yeah!!! I don't have any pictures yet, but very soon I will. Below is a picture of me working on my core strength and balance...something I do a lot of!
3-year anniversary! UGH!! Can't say that I was excited to see July 9th roll around again. I was really hoping that I'd be on my feet by now. If I dwell on that fact it can really get me down and be pretty discouraging. I miss my mobility and independence so much!!!!!! How do I deal with this overwhelming loss and sadness? I focus on all the blessings I have. I focus on the amazing progress I've made thus far and how that seemed impossible 3 years ago. I focus on that God is good and all things happen for a reason. I focus on the support I have from an AWESOME group of friends and family, which I'm so lucky to have!! YOU help me stay optimistic and positive! Thanks for your support!!
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Scott Valley Rules!!!!!
Let me tell you about a little place nestled in the heart of the great state of Jefferson that as forever captured my heart. Although the physical features of this area are impressive by any standard that doesn't involve shopping its the people that make this community amazing!! Between 2 different fundraisers this little community of just a few thousand has raised almost $40k for little old me. If you're fortunate enough to call it home consider yourself very fortunate!! The whole state of Jefferson has some of the most amazing people living in the Rogue and Shasta Valleys, but Scott Valley reigns supreme...sorry...I'm biased!! I love all of you up in what can truly be considered God's country! So, you got it? Scott Valley is awesome!! Thank you Scott Valley I wouldn't be here without you!! I also want to thank my friends that are in the Rogue Valley, the Shasta Valley and those of you scattered around the world. I'm in your debt and a debt I'll never be able to repay.
You have no idea how much each individual gift means to me no matter how large or small. Without your support I would most likely be living in an assisted living facility with no hope of independence. Even though I still have a long road ahead of me, YOU, yes YOU, have given me a chance and a hope!! When I think of how blessed I am to have this kind of support it brings me to tears and any words I say would be a gross understatement to express the gratitude in my heart!!
Most recently some pretty amazing women organized a BBQ dinner and auction. It was hugely successful and a great time too. There was some weird old man, and I mean OLD, running around with a grass skirt on. Watch out!!
It was a fun filled night complete with Hula Dancers! Thank Hula Dancers for coming down!!
Over 250 people braved the snowy mountain roads to come out and support me. Yes, that's right, it snowed and almost everyone had to drive over a 4000 ft mountain pass to get there. SoCal people can't even wrap their minds around this idea. 10 miles on a flat freeway might as well be the moon down here. Ha Ha!
This guy was even there!!
A huge thanks and a huge amount of gratitude goes out to Diane Pomeroy and Pam Malmberg!! If you ever find yourself at the receiving end of their help just do exactly what they say...they know exactly what they're doing. Just smile, say yes ma'am, and consider yourself one of the luckiest people alive!! Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of them, but here's one of my parents and I.
So now what?? I'm continuing therapy at Project Walk until the end of August. My Mom will return home at that time and I'm not sure what I'm going to do. Two things are certain I'll continue this kind of therapy however wherever I can and I'm starting graduate studies at Colorado State University through an online program. At the moment I can't actually afford to work yet...surprised?? Tell me about it!!! It is SO frustrating...I can work fine I just can't shower and poop by myself. Anyways, enough of that. My ultimate goal is to work and be a contributing member to society. I'm approaching this goal in two ways: 1) I'm preparing myself professionally to be highly employable and 2) I'm working my tail off everyday to get stronger and stronger, which equals greater independence.
Thank you again for your support! I still have a long road ahead of me, but there's hope!! If you're inspired by my story and would like to support me you can do so by following the link below. I'm stilling looking for 300 people to commit to giving $20/month.
CLICK HERE TO DONATE NOW
If you have read this far then mad props to you my friend! If you're already donating or have in the past from the bottom of my hear...THANK YOU!! I love you!!!
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Benefit BBQ and Live Auction
Benefit BBQ and Live Auction - to help Matt Thomas continue therapy at Project Walk where he is making outstanding progress! Come out and be part of something truly remarkable!
Details:
Tickets - $15/person and $25/ couple
Includes dinner - BBQ Tri-tip or Hawaiian Chicken with all the fixin's.
5pm - Social hour
6pm - Dinner
7pm - Live Auction
HAWAIIAN THEME! If you need a shirt contact Mike Thomas!
Come on out and support Matt, he desperately needs your help!
Tickets available:
Wildwood Crossing, Etna
Bob's Ranch House, Etna
Scott Valley Fitness Center, Fort Jones
Scott Valley Florist, Fort Jones
Black's Home Furnishings, Yreka
Brook's Automotive Repair, Mt Shasta
And at the door - make reservations on this event page or email
mattnevergivesup@gmail.com.
If you would like to donate an item for the auction or help out in any way call Diane at (530) 468-2707 or email mattnevergivesup@gmail.com.
All proceeds will go directly to help Matt reach his recovery goals.
Ultimately Matt desires to walk again, but in the short term Matt is working on becoming more independent physically and financially to allow his Mom to return home. He's working daily on being able to independently transfer in and out of his wheelchair, which is a key and crucial step towards independence. In his spare time he is working on making himself employable. He recently studied for and passed the California Professional Engineering License Exam and has been looking into Grad School classes. It's a long hard road to recovery, but he is determined and motivated to see it through.
Details:
Tickets - $15/person and $25/ couple
Includes dinner - BBQ Tri-tip or Hawaiian Chicken with all the fixin's.
5pm - Social hour
6pm - Dinner
7pm - Live Auction
HAWAIIAN THEME! If you need a shirt contact Mike Thomas!
Come on out and support Matt, he desperately needs your help!
Tickets available:
Wildwood Crossing, Etna
Bob's Ranch House, Etna
Scott Valley Fitness Center, Fort Jones
Scott Valley Florist, Fort Jones
Black's Home Furnishings, Yreka
Brook's Automotive Repair, Mt Shasta
And at the door - make reservations on this event page or email
mattnevergivesup@gmail.com.
If you would like to donate an item for the auction or help out in any way call Diane at (530) 468-2707 or email mattnevergivesup@gmail.com.
All proceeds will go directly to help Matt reach his recovery goals.
Ultimately Matt desires to walk again, but in the short term Matt is working on becoming more independent physically and financially to allow his Mom to return home. He's working daily on being able to independently transfer in and out of his wheelchair, which is a key and crucial step towards independence. In his spare time he is working on making himself employable. He recently studied for and passed the California Professional Engineering License Exam and has been looking into Grad School classes. It's a long hard road to recovery, but he is determined and motivated to see it through.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Good times great taste
First things first, I want to thank all of you that have committed to be part of the 300 I'm truly blessed to have this kind of support. The ONLY way I'm able to be at Project Walk and make the progress I've been making is through the generosity of my friends and family. I did not receive a huge settlement, my only source of income is Social Security (not enough to even live on), insurance says I'm rehabilitated, and I don't have an rich uncle. So, from the bottom of my heart THANK YOU you've given me hope. I think its really amazing to have this kind of support...grass roots baby!
Where does all the money go you may ask? Being at Project Walk costs about $6500/ month above and beyond what my living expenses would be if I was back in the Rogue Valley. Plus I have future needs including:
New shower chair - $3800 - http://www.nuprodx.com/chair6000tx.htm
Standing manual wheelchair - $12,000 - http://www.permobil.com/USA/Products/Lifestand/Product-items-Lifestand/Lifestand/LS1/
New wheelchair van - $60k-80k
Insurance will cover a small amount of the above items, but its laughable how small that actually is.
How can YOU help??
The easiest way is to become one of my 300 supporters. I'm trying to get 300 to donate $20/month for the next year. It's tax deductible and anything helps.
CLICK HERE TO DONATE
For more information you can email me at mattnevergivesup@gmail.com.
or check out the previous post.
http://mattnevergivesup.blogspot.com/2011/12/matt-thomas-is-making-huge-gains-in-his.html
Next way to help is come to my BBQ and Live Auction on March 31st and/or volunteer to help. We are still looking for more auction items and we will literally take anything to auction. Nothing is too small or big.
Details:
Benefit BBQ and Live Auction - to help Matt Thomas continue therapy at Project Walk where he is making outstanding progress!
Tickets - $15/person and $25/ couple
Includes dinner - BBQ Tri-tip or Hawaiian Chicken with all the fixin's.
5pm - Social hour
6pm - Dinner
7pm - Live Auction
HAWAIIAN THEME! If you need a shirt contact Mike Thomas!
Come on out and support Matt, he desperately needs your help!
Tickets available:
Wildwood Crossing, Etna
Bob's Ranch House, Etna
Scott Valley Fitness Center, Fort Jones
Scott Valley Florist, Fort Jones
Black's Home Furnishings, Yreka
Brook's Automotive Repair, Mt Shasta
And at the door - make reservations on this event page or email
mattnevergivesup@gmail.com.
If you would like to donate an item for the auction or help out in any way call Diane at (530) 468-2707 or email mattnevergivesup@gmail.com.
I got super sick for a couple weeks in January and it took a few weeks to recover. I'm doing great now, but I was pretty hagard for a while. I had a stomach bug for a week. Then a day later I came down with a bad fever for another week. Then I was exhausted and it took a few weeks to feel a 100% again. On the flip side I wasn't able to eat much so I lost some weight and I couldn't go to PW so I saved some money...positive thoughts.
I'm back at it now and going strong.
Here I am doing the arm cycle, while in the standing frame.
Here I am working on my transfers, which I'm constantly working on.
This month has been extremely challenging emotionally and mentally. It's been 2-1/2 years and I'm still not walking yet and that thought discouraged me greatly and gave me doubts. What am I doing here? It cost so much to be here and for what? Then I look back at the pictures and video from a while ago and realize I'm making progress and continue to make progress daily. I go to PW and see others that are worse off than me and see the determination in their eyes and smiles on their faces and it humbles and encourages me to press on. I guess I'm learning the true meaning of the words perseverance, adversity, and hope. SCI recovery is a slow tedious process and the more severe the injury the longer it takes, which can be as quick as weeks or as long as 10 years or more. I did a number on my neck so my road to recovery could take a while. The march of time can be relentless and discouraging. During these tough times I rely on the my faith in God and the belief that all things happen for a purpose even I can't see it yet. I look to my loving friends and family for support. You'll never know just how much you have helped me.
I dream of the day when I'm flying down a gladed slope with cold smoke stinging my face, when I'm taking that final stroke to launch me off a waterfall on some remote creek, and the day I can walk up to my doctor and see "See, I told you so!" In the meantime, as the calendar ticks by I strive to find enjoyment in life from spending time with a good friend to avocados on my burger.
Want to do me a favor? Enjoy your life, the people in it, your health, your ability to do cool stuff and get out there and live!
Where does all the money go you may ask? Being at Project Walk costs about $6500/ month above and beyond what my living expenses would be if I was back in the Rogue Valley. Plus I have future needs including:
New shower chair - $3800 - http://www.nuprodx.com/chair6000tx.htm
Standing manual wheelchair - $12,000 - http://www.permobil.com/USA/Products/Lifestand/Product-items-Lifestand/Lifestand/LS1/
New wheelchair van - $60k-80k
Insurance will cover a small amount of the above items, but its laughable how small that actually is.
How can YOU help??
The easiest way is to become one of my 300 supporters. I'm trying to get 300 to donate $20/month for the next year. It's tax deductible and anything helps.
CLICK HERE TO DONATE
For more information you can email me at mattnevergivesup@gmail.com.
or check out the previous post.
http://mattnevergivesup.blogspot.com/2011/12/matt-thomas-is-making-huge-gains-in-his.html
Next way to help is come to my BBQ and Live Auction on March 31st and/or volunteer to help. We are still looking for more auction items and we will literally take anything to auction. Nothing is too small or big.
Details:
Benefit BBQ and Live Auction - to help Matt Thomas continue therapy at Project Walk where he is making outstanding progress!
Tickets - $15/person and $25/ couple
Includes dinner - BBQ Tri-tip or Hawaiian Chicken with all the fixin's.
5pm - Social hour
6pm - Dinner
7pm - Live Auction
HAWAIIAN THEME! If you need a shirt contact Mike Thomas!
Come on out and support Matt, he desperately needs your help!
Tickets available:
Wildwood Crossing, Etna
Bob's Ranch House, Etna
Scott Valley Fitness Center, Fort Jones
Scott Valley Florist, Fort Jones
Black's Home Furnishings, Yreka
Brook's Automotive Repair, Mt Shasta
And at the door - make reservations on this event page or email
mattnevergivesup@gmail.com.
If you would like to donate an item for the auction or help out in any way call Diane at (530) 468-2707 or email mattnevergivesup@gmail.com.
What have I been up to??
I got super sick for a couple weeks in January and it took a few weeks to recover. I'm doing great now, but I was pretty hagard for a while. I had a stomach bug for a week. Then a day later I came down with a bad fever for another week. Then I was exhausted and it took a few weeks to feel a 100% again. On the flip side I wasn't able to eat much so I lost some weight and I couldn't go to PW so I saved some money...positive thoughts.
I'm back at it now and going strong.
Here I am doing the arm cycle, while in the standing frame.
Here I am working on my transfers, which I'm constantly working on.
On the heavier side...
This month has been extremely challenging emotionally and mentally. It's been 2-1/2 years and I'm still not walking yet and that thought discouraged me greatly and gave me doubts. What am I doing here? It cost so much to be here and for what? Then I look back at the pictures and video from a while ago and realize I'm making progress and continue to make progress daily. I go to PW and see others that are worse off than me and see the determination in their eyes and smiles on their faces and it humbles and encourages me to press on. I guess I'm learning the true meaning of the words perseverance, adversity, and hope. SCI recovery is a slow tedious process and the more severe the injury the longer it takes, which can be as quick as weeks or as long as 10 years or more. I did a number on my neck so my road to recovery could take a while. The march of time can be relentless and discouraging. During these tough times I rely on the my faith in God and the belief that all things happen for a purpose even I can't see it yet. I look to my loving friends and family for support. You'll never know just how much you have helped me.
I dream of the day when I'm flying down a gladed slope with cold smoke stinging my face, when I'm taking that final stroke to launch me off a waterfall on some remote creek, and the day I can walk up to my doctor and see "See, I told you so!" In the meantime, as the calendar ticks by I strive to find enjoyment in life from spending time with a good friend to avocados on my burger.
Want to do me a favor? Enjoy your life, the people in it, your health, your ability to do cool stuff and get out there and live!
Thanks for your support and prayers!!
Keep the faith,
Matt
Keep the faith,
Matt
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