STEPHEN MURRAY UPDATE 23 FEB 08

[STEPHEN'S MUM]

Hi, here is a quick update of my trip to see Stephen at the Kennedy Krieger Rehab Hospital in Baltimore. To be honest, Baltimore was a place which I said I would never visit again, the last time I was there we were all filled with despair after Stephen's tragic accident and the life changing effect it h had on the lives of our family, .............but then we should all learn never to say never!
Stephen has been at The Kennedey Kreiger rehab hospital for 7 weeks and has just returned back home to California this weekend. I flew out to see him 2 weeks ago to see how he was progressing in rehab. I went to see him working out,and I mean working out, in the gymn where physio and occupational therapy take place.
There is no room for 'slackers' here. You come to work and learn how to get out of a wheel chair. The music is blairing away, the atmosphere is electric, whilst physios and patients are working together, the positive energy in that room is amazing, it makes you feel like lazy just watching and you just want to paricipate with everyone.
Stephen's OT and physio are supberb. His physio, plays no rules Australian ladies football and the words 'can't do' are not in her vocabulary, She's a tough cookie and just what Stephen needs. They have the greatest respect for each other.
He is under the wing of Dr John McDonald who we have spoken of previously. This man is a great scientist and has huge plans for Stephen. Stephen's confidence in him is unmeasurable and both of them are determined that he WILL get out of the wheelchair. It will take some time but everyone is so so positive that I truly believe he will.
One day I watched his physio get him onto a gym mat which is about 2 feet of the floor. She positioned him in a sitting position with his feet on the floor. Then she placed his arms behind him on the mat so that he was leaning backs upporting him all of the time . ...whilst she was doing this Stephen was watching himself in front of a mirror. Then she left go and Stephen had to support himself indepentently. The concentration on his face was just like when he was on top of the start hill waiting for his final run. It was amazing to see. He DID support himself for more than 30 seconds!He did this several times. These are small steps to people like you and I but GIANT to a person who was intially told that he would never get out of a wheel chair.
Stephen's positivity remains unchanged. He had Mason & Seth out for a 4 day visit to see him and Melissa.He had Mason sit on his knee in his wheelchair, charged across the lounge, slammed on the brakes and sent Mason flying onto the couch. They had such fun and the boys loved it.
Its amazing how you can find alternative ways to entertain your children!.He has had wheelchair races down the hospital corridors with other patients trying to beat them,he still has his competitive streak in him.
Stephen and Melissa are going to return to Baltimore in 3 months time for another 6 weeks,after Stephen has worked on the exercises given to him by his physio, they will then progress onwards and upwards.
Ofcourse there are many hiccups along the way and the road is is still a long one with many mountains to climb. He still has trmendous neck pain and nerve spasms. He is prone to pneumonia and UTIs but his body is now learning to cope better in these situations however,throughout all of this we would like you all to know that we are more positive and stronger than ever and would once more like to thank you all for your support, without which we may have been telling a different story.
Thank you all
Cynthia
Stephen's Mum

[Moschops]

Truly tremendous news

Keep staying strong team murry.

[cyclist]

Thanks for the news on Steve and his progress. Hello to all the murray's .
Mad ady.

[rocket24]

Fantastic news Stephen, no start hill beat you so neither will a wheel chair.
All best wishes to you and the family Ray, and Noisy Neil.

[Ross' Mum]

For once I really don't know what to say.. apart from good luck, keep faith and trust and always be positive plus I love you all for your strength and determination which will bring you the success you deserve as it always has, eh Stephen? My thoughts are always with you Murrays as you fight this long battle together just as true families do.

Shirley
xXxXx

[Uncle Buck]

Thanks Cynthia, great news and Martin tells me he is going to commentate at the DEW comp back in Baltimore, that will be rad and very emotional I am sure.

[Black_Bike]

Good news! Keep going Stephen you can do it!!

[Lee Dell'Isola]

Truly amazing, Stephen your determination is inspiration for us all, keep up the good work,
looking forward to the next update
love to you all
Lee

[JBerry415]

Hey Cynthia,
Thanks for posting another great update on Stephen. Dale and Neal have been giving me snippets of info too. It's great to hear how well Stephen and the whole family are progressing with all of this. Please send Stephen my best, and I know he is going to make great strides getting fit again. Literally!!
From the Berry's.

[animalxtreme]

Hello,
My name is Sorin , 13 year old guy, and i saw this morning on EXtreme Sports Channel the tragic accident of Stephen....Right away I wanted to help him and started praying after the show was over....I`m very sorry for what happened and I am hoping he will be very well soon! The guys from the DEW tournament are my heroes...and your son is my favourite because he is so brave and because he ISN`T GIVING UP! Well....there`s one more thing i want you to know....ME AND MY FRIENDS ARE SUPPORTING HIM AND AS QUICK AS WE WILL GET A CREDIT CARD .... WE WILL DONATE TO YOU AT LEAST 1$ Each....or at least we will try so Well....I hope he will be fine ASAP....

[ollie53]

Hi, here's a voice from the passed! martin and sue forster (red watch tango) only just found out about stephen, it would be great if you were passing some time to call in so we could catch up,i don't know what to say,but i'm shure no matter what you asked of stephen he would find a way of doing it, that's why he is a champion,send him our love martin and sue

[jack.fowler#173]

keep staying strong stephen