Sorry for the lack of updates, I'm (Neal, Matt's brother) heading up there next week for an in person status update and I'll do a write up of how he's doing. What I've seen from his posts on Facebook is that he's getting a little bit of strength out of his left tricep and that's good news. If he can get his triceps to work he'll be able to shift his own weight and have a little more independence with other activities.

Keep him in your thoughts and prayers for recovery, he still hasn't given up and even though things are not changing a whole lot on a daily basis he's still very positive and thrilled about even the littlest things. His attitude continues to be an example for the rest of us about not letting life's circumstances get you down and to just keep trying no matter what the odds.

Below is a link to a site for those of you in the Scott Valley area or Southern Oregon for an upcoming fundraising event September 19th.

http://sv4thomasfamily.wordpress.com/

by Mark Peaty

Social hour and silent auction 5:00 p.m.

Complete tri tip BBQ dinner 6:00 p.m.

Dessert and Live auction to begin at 7:00 p.m.

Tickets: $15 single, $25 couple, $5 children aged 10 or under

Special live music performed by Calico throughout the evening

Next organizational meeting: September 9 at 7:00 p.m. taking place at the Fort Jones Community Center

Donations are tax deductible through the Siskiyou Institute 503(c) account.

Friday, August 21, 2009 Update:

The big movie premiere is tonight in Mt. Shasta, Matt is going to be there, he has transportation in place and even a back up transportation plan. Keep him in your thoughts and prayers for safe travel from Oregon to California.

Thursday, August 20, 2009 Update:
Sorry for the lack of updates this week. Several of us have been busy getting the new house ready for Matt and his parents. We anticipate they will move in on Sunday. Finally, they can say goodbye to the sad little dungeon @ Providence House. Yeah!!

THE FOLLOWING IS A MESSAGE FROM MATT:
Hello everyone. Yesterday, in therapy, I stood up for the 1st time using a crazy sling and brace contraption. The sling holds me up and leg braces keep my knees from buckling under my body weight. I was able to hold 90% of my body weight. The therapists say this is a great start and I was able to do more than what most people can do their first time in this sling. Now, I want to be clear that this does not mean that I have strength or feeling in my legs. However, I am doing new cool stuff, like the standing sling, in therapy and this has been encouraging.

With the help of a wheelchair taxi van, I checked out the new house the other night and it is going to be a million times better than the closet I'm currently living in. It’s bright, open, spacious, and has a spectacular view. I'll miss the parking garage parties, but I think I'll manage ;) And I look forward to having space for friends and family to visit and take in the scenery with me.

I want to send huge thanks to the super motivated work crew that worked very hard to make the new place very homey and inviting! You guys ROCK!!! Now I don't have to live in a van down by the river. ;)

REMINDER!!! This Friday night, the Shasta Boyz will premiere their new kayaking movie as a benefit for yours truly. It starts at 7 at Mt. Shasta City Park. Let's get a HUGE crowd there. I'm going and I'm paralyzed. So what's your excuse? :) That’s what I thought…see you there!

Here is the site to see more about the event: http://sbollock.blogspot.com/

Also, please check out the ad on Craigslist re: my truck for sale….
http://medford.craigslist.org/cto/1326796597.html

Also, a great big thanks to the folks in Scott Valley for meeting this week and organizing a great event fundraiser for me that will take place in September.

….Thomas out!