Matt Lund Updates’s blog

Those of you who have been following this blog know that Matt & Brooke have loving friends and families on both sides that have banded together to love and support each other through the hard times.  Unfortunately the family has again encountered a crisis that will require us all to cling to each other for support and comfort, and to simply love each other through the pain. 
The day before Thanksgiving, Brooke's little brother Tyson chose to end his life here on earth. His decision has torn a hole in the hearts of all of us who loved him.  For those of you who knew him, you know the world has lost a fun, sweet, gentle soul.  We will all miss him in our own special way. Sadly,  Reagan being so young, will probably not remember her Uncle Ty who loved her so much.
Right now the pain of loss is very raw and we are all so fragile. But in time the good memories of Ty will become stonger than the pain. And this family, no longer a stranger to hardship and pain, will be stronger too.

Love to all of you, may we all support each other in our seperate times of need.
Debbie

Reagan and Uncle Ty

Matt is a member of the wheelchair rugby team, the Utah Scorpions. Thursday night November 15th is the Murderball Benefit at Club Vegas to raise money for the team.
The party starts at 8 PM with live music and a good time to be had by all. $7 at the door
Club Vegas is at 445 South 400 West in Salt Lake City.

The Fall kickball league held a fund-raiser recently, and raised some much needed funds for Matt, Brooke and Reagan! It was held the weekend we were moving into the house, so we could not attend, but it sounds like the League and President Beau Brosius put a lot of thought and energy into it.

We want to say thank you to all who attended, donated, and thought about Matt. The kickball league held a fund-raiser last year also and their generosity was and is amazing and deeply appreciated. Kickball athletes, and Kickball fans are the best!

Moving Day finally came.  Well it was more like moving 4 days.  Matt went to his first big Rugby tournament in Vegas with Derek & Tyler as the pit crew.  So as soon as he left town the rest of us flew into high gear and raced against time to get the house livable and all their stuff moved in by the time he got home.  Matt rolled up the beautiful new sidewalk and into the living room with ease.  Reagan was so happy to see him she squealed and did a happy dance all around the room.  Then she climbed up on his feet and gave him hugs and kisses.  Right about that time Ella came flying in through her new doggie door and jumped into Matt's lap.  He said "Ella's here too?  Wow, we really are home."  After Reagan proceeded to show him all the important features, like where her bottles and sippie cups were, they settled down to their fist night in the new, old house.  There is still quite a bit to do.  Kitchen counter tops and sink should be in by the end of the week.  A few electrical problems to work out and some finishing touches, but they are in!

Again, we owe a debt of gratitude we can not  fully express and never repay to all of you who have made this possible.  Travis, Charlie, and Tyler have put in incredible amounts of time and done everything with such care, that the house has turned out to be a show piece of beautiful craftsmanship. The people who have donated time and materials is long.  You know who you are, and be assured we know who you are, and the whole family is eternally grateful!

It has been a long year, but very rewarding to see Matt & Brooke handle such overwhelming circumstances with determination and grace.
Matt has come so far in one short year.  From not being able to feed himself  to being able to care for himself, transfer in and out of his chair, break down and set up his wheelchair, drive the car,and now is playing Quad Rugby and going back to school!
Those of you who have been close know that in the last year Brooke has done what would normally take a team of people to do.  From the very first day she has managed health care and financial issues along with child care and overseeing a full scale home remodel. 
The first year has been a long journey for all of us, friends and family alike.  If you are reading this blog we consider you a part of our experience. 
Cheers to all of us!

To quote Dorothy "There's no place like home." But getting there seems as hard as if we were in Oz. It's like  the yellow brick road keeps getting longer and longer,  the wicked witch keeps making things go wrong and the wizard is a big fat fake!  At least in Oz and in Salt Lake City, there are true friends.  If you would like to help, grab some painting supplies, call Brooke or Travis to tell them when your available and show up at 328 East Downigton St. 
Signed,
Glinda ( the good witch of  the North)

While Matt's brother in-law Tyson, complained about having to go back to school, it is different for Matt.  It represents a return to something he did before the injury.  He was back on the U of U campus this week, and he said it felt good!  It won't take long to clean off his desk, rearrange his stack of research and get back on track.  There are of course some new challenges.  The University is on a pretty big hill, so pushing up and down will be quite the work out, and after a year off it may be hard to know where to start on his research.  But all in all back to school this year is a very good thing.
On weekends you might see Brooke & Matt riding bikes in the park or along the Jordan Parkway because Matt has a brand new hand cycle!!  Thanks to some very generous people who donated anonomously a very cool, custom made, black hand cycle. The weather is just cooling down enough now to be perfect for an afternoon ride.  Pictures to be posted soon. 

We all love summer time.  Brooke & Matt have been enjoying going to the park with Reagan, visiting the family cabin in Idaho and the occasional BB-Q with friends.
Many of you may not know but Matt loves to water ski and wake board. Not long ago, through the help of the National Ability Center, Matt was able to do something that we thought would never happen again.  He overcame an understandable, and seemingly insurmountable fear of getting in the water, and took a turn around the lake on an adapted wake board!   Brooke said it was such a thrill to see him in the lake on a wake board behind a boat again.  What an athlete!
Work continues on the house.  We are hoping it will be ready for them to move in while they can still enjoy some of the nice weather on their new back patio.  If you would like to help give Travis Grob a call at 694-7583.

Debbie

The yard sale was very successful.  Thanks to Dale & Patty and all of you who donated and bought items.  The proceeds will help with some of the remodel costs. 

We have heard from all of you who have ever undertaken major remodel projects in the past that it seldom goes as planned.  But even so,  we have been amazed at how Murphy's Law  has become so common place.  Floors that are not level, crumbling bricks, trying to match existing floors but finding the brand is discontinued, contacts that fall through, etc. etc. Through it all Travis & Charlie continue to work their butts off.  Thanks to all of you who have helped out when you can. The house is really making progress and excitement is building.

Matt is driving himself to physical therapy a couple of times a week and he is using an electro-therapy machine on his hands at night.  He, Brooke & Reagan recently took a trip to Yellowstone with family, and he has been hand cycling a bit too.

Keep up the good thoughts and prayers.  Your continued support is very appreciated.

Debbie

Please check out the photos of Matt transferring on his own into his car and getting ready to take off.  This is an exciting step for Matt in regaining some of his independence.  Being able to get himself into and out of his car enables him to go places without requring help from others.  Matt has been approved to drive with the use of hand controls that have been installed in his car.  He works the gas and break with his left hand and with the help of an adaptive device attached to the steering wheel he uses his right hand for steering.  Matt has already driven himself to therapy, getting some auto repairs done and to Park City to pick out his new rugby wheelchair at the National Abilities Center.  Last week Matt also went to lunch at the Alta Club with representatives of his.Economics Dept at the U of U (including Steve Maisch), the Dean of the College of Social & Behavioral Sciences and family members of the Karsten family who donated the funds for Matt's new scholarship.  With progress being made on Matt and Brooke's home, driving a car again, receiving a scholarship for next year, getting his own rugby wheelchair and having a fantastic fundraiser party last month with 550 people attending there is much to celebrate and appreciate.  Great friends and relatives are helping to meet the many challenges of a very changed lifestyle.

Also, Matt's parents (Dale & Patty) are holding a giant yard sale at their house (2774 South 2000 East) on Saturday June 9th and possibly the 10th.  If you have items that you would like to donate to have sold at this fundraiser for Matt, Brooke and Reagan please let Dale know (450-9401) to arrange to drop them off or to have him pick them up.  We already have some great items donated with many furniture items, some antiques, children's clothes and toys, a set of nearly new women's golf clubs and other interesting things.  The more items we have to sell the more fun and funds that go to Matt.  Please consider donating items (ASAP) and stopping by to visit or buy on June 9th and 10th.  Again, from Matt and Brooke's families, many thanks to everyone !

The party was fantastic, I am sure everyone that came would agree. The people, food, music, auction, raffle all made for a perfect night. I attempted to say hello to everyone but I am sure there were a few people I missed, hope you can forgive me. It was great to see everyone and meet many more. The last few days all Brooke and I can talk about is how many generous people came to the event and showed their love for our family. We were blown away by the turnout! The fundraiser truely opened many doors for us! The following is the statement i had my father read at the party because I chickened out. It describes my appreciation for all of you.

Immediately following my accident I had no idea exactly what had happened, I was numb from the chest down and my fingers were locked tight. My main fear was that I had let my family and friends down, although it did provide for an exciting wedding. A few hours later I was told that I had a c-7 complete spinal cord injury. Some doctors said I would never walk again while others were more cautious and left the diagnosis open. As time has passed we have found out that complete injuries can turn into incomplete, return of function can be begin immediately, take years, or never come back at all. My life was scrambled and surrounded by uncertainty. After an event like this you really begin to question your life, essentially what makes you happy. Is it your work, is it climbing, golfing, or whatever you do with your time. With all the uncertainty in my daily life I have found that it is the relationships that I have formed over the years that bring me happiness and provide stability in my life. The relationships with my wife, daughter, family and friends are what I value most and are what will put my scrambled life back together. I am so grateful to have found so many caring, generous people that have done amazing things for my family in this time of need. We have received help from way too many people to name names so thank you to everyone for all of your support and coming here tonight.