It’s that time again for friends and family to come together in support of Matt.

Here are links to the Entry Form and Poster for you to print out and/or send in.

Download/Print Entry Form: Click Here
Download/Print Poster: Click Here

As many of you are aware, Matt Ruiz was involved in a devastating car accident last year on the eve of March 28, 2008.  Our family has been blessed to have the outpouring of support and encouragement of out friends and community members including you.

As a result of Matt’s accident, he struggled through a month-long coma and was hospitalized for a period of approximately five (5) months.  It goes without saying that Matt’s condition is serious and both he and out entire family strive every day to remain positive as we face immeasurable medical challenges with him.  It was determined, after tests, that Matt has sustained a traumatic brain injury from the impact of the accident.

What this means for Matt is that he is currently confined to a wheelchair is unable to speak and absorbs nutrients through a feeding tube.  At present, his condition has been quite grim, however, Matt has recently made strides with his full-time caretakers and occupational therapist.  While we’re excited to continue this level of care for Matt, we are unable to afford the prohibitive costs.  Our family believes that with continued support and the proper medical attention that Matt will prevail.  We know his spirit coupled with the continued support of our family and friends that Matt will transcend this tragedy to eventually triumph.

We’re writing to share of Matt’s progress and also to respectfully ask for your help and direct support.  We’re teaming up with both Vision International and the Maderas Golf Club to host a fun-filled Golf Outing, to raise funds that will go directly to continue funding further care for Matt.

We invite you to join in the festivities and become a member of Matt’s winning team.  We would be honored to have you with us for the day of golf scheduled for Friday, September 25, 2009 at 1 p.m. entry cost is $150.00 and/or we would welcome your consideration in providing a charitable contribution to our planned auction and opportunity drawing.

Any donations provided by a private person or organization would receive prominent recognition at our opportunity drawing/live auction display area and verbal acknowledgement in the presence of all guests.

On behalf of both Matt and our family, thank you in advance for your consideration of our request.  If you have any questions, or if we may provide you with anything additional, please contact me directly as (760) 484-2767.  We hope you can be with us.

With tremendous hope and gratitude,

Lindsey Smith  (Matt’s Girlfriend)

Benefit Coordinator

Here are links to the Entry Form and Poster for you to print out and/or send in.

Download/Print Entry Form: Click Here
Download/Print Poster: Click Here

Posted in Matt's Progress | Comments (0)

Well it’s been 6 weeks of speech therapy at SDSU and at this point Matt does not seem real interested in the program.  The 2 young grad students have not changed anything in there approach and Matt will not respond much to what the ask and how they ask it.  Lindsey and Lisa have stepped in at times to ask Matt to perform the same task a little more ascertively while in the lab and they do get results much the same way we all do at home but that approach is just not what the do at SDSU so far.  Matt did hit a flat spot through much of June but now in July with the more challanging approach we have all been throwing at Matt, he is stepping up and continues to move along.  He has also been showing a lot more verbalization in the past few weeks like he’s experimenting and at times like he’s actually trying to sound out some words.  Spencer and I have been getting Matt to push himself up into a sitting position while laying on his side with verbal cuing and  lots of “go Matt, keep pushing”.   He really understands what’s being said, it’s the communication back that we’re all hoping to hear sooner or later.  Lisa and I have also scheduled a private consultation with Dr. Lobats, a neurologist at Scripps Encinitas Rehab for late next month.  We have not found any reliable neurologist through the Kaiser Network so we decided to once againto go out on our own for Matt’s benefit.  It’s been a busy and productive summer and Matt is doing well.  Brittney’s been enjoying her summer off and is talking about possibly pursuing a rep position when summer is over.  We’ll all have to wait and see.

I had a set back this past week.  Broke my right leg and am now waiting to see an orthopedic surgeon hopefully by the end of this week or early next week so he can set the broken bone and cast it so I can get back on the mend.  They say God never gives you more than you can handle.  I sure think God must know something I don’t know but we all have to keep on trusting in God right?  That’s what I continue to do and so far I have been amazed when things happen the way they do and at the time they happen.  When I was laying in the ER the other day thinking about what just happened and looking at the recent events over the past weeks I just sat back in pain and put it all in perspective and it all does make some sort of sense.  Just a way of getting my attention I guess and keeping me on track and focused on what I need to be focused on.

Thanks all for your continued support

God Bless  

Posted in Matt's Progress | Comments (0)