Thursday, September 29, 2016

Awesome new TV show on ABC called Speechless.

Check out the trailer at http://disabledparent.com/new-tv-show-speechless/

disabledparent.com

http://disabledparent.com

Tuesday, August 9, 2016

www.disabledparent.com

I started a new website as a resource for Disabled Parents, please take a look at it and let me know what you think.


http://www.disabledparent.com


Thanks, Matt


Wednesday, April 2, 2014

I'm Back

It's been a long road, but I have finally reached my goal. The Dr. approved my request to return to work full time! I am finally back to supporting my family just as I did before the accident. 
For those of you who know me, you understand you know how much it means to me to be back. 


Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Standing Wheelchair

It's not very often that I get a chance to use my standing wheelchair. The feeling of being at my old height and being able to reach certain things is really wonderful. After 10-15 minutes, I begin to get a head rush (All of the blood pools in my lower extremities and my blood pressure drops making me pass-out) and I have to sit-down for a little bit.
The chair definitely gives me the ability to do things that I never could have done without it. The chair has its limits and it's not like a set of legs, but it's the best I've got at this point.
I've attached a picture of myself using the chair to decorate the Christmas tree.



Thursday, October 17, 2013

Psalm 50:15

I was reading Alex's teachers weekly e-mail when I saw the verse of the week.

Psalm 50:15, "Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory."

I think this pretty much sums up my life... I was in serious trouble and called upon God to help me, he rescued me from certain death, and now it is my job to give him Glory. Not much interpetation needed in this one.





 

Monday, June 17, 2013

Father's Day

I had a wonderful Father's Day this year. My oldest son came to church with us and then my oldest daughter and her boyfriend came and spent the day together with me. It was wonderful to have everyone together and it made me begin to think about how over the years I have changed as a father. 

According to http://www.merriam-webster.com/ : the definition of a father is: a man who has begotten a child. I think it's much more than that

I was thrust into fatherhood at 19 years old. My girlfriend was pregnant and she already had a 2 year old daughter. I did what any respectful man would do. I quit college, married her, and went to work to support my new family. I never had a handbook of how to be a father, so I resorted to doing what I had learned from my fathers. 

1. My dad and my stepdad both worked hard to provide for their families. I never heard either of them complain and they often took on extra responsibilities just to provide a little more for us. 

2. I always knew that my dad and stepdad loved me. They never really said it, but I just knew it. Their actions showed me their love everyday. Affection was implied, not expressed. 

At 19 years old, I found a job in a factory and began bringing home enough money for our new family. I worked long hours and would sign up for any overtime I could so that I could provide additional for my family. I mean, that's one of a fathers duties right? When it was offered that my employer would reimburse for college classes I returned to college. It took several years, many days without sleep, and many missed events with my children, but I finished my degree while working. I was trying to provide more for my family and I felt was my responsibility as a father. 
I don't ever remember telling my children that I loved them, I followed the rule I had learned and felt that it was implied by all that I did for them. 

Fast forward to today. 

I have learned that my role as a father is much different that I originally thought. I am blessed with the chance to learn from my mistakes and I have another shot at this father role. While I still feel that providing for my family is a important role, I know that me spending time with them is just as important. I know that a crucial role that I play is teaching my children how to interact with others by example. As fathers, we are teaching our sons how to treat women and our daughters how they should expect to be treated. I don't believe that it's enough to imply your feelings anymore, I tell all of my children that I love them everyday. It is my responsibility to teach my children about The Lord and give them a solid spiritual base to build upon. 

I believe that my most important role as a father is teaching my sons how to be great fathers.

 







Monday, January 28, 2013

Wheelchairs

Wheelchairs... There not just for mobility anymore. They double as napping spots as well.