Today my son will step on the ice and play a game of Hockey. That statement is unremarkable for a Canadian Father to make about his son. Except that 5 months and 4 days ago I watched in horror as my son was checked from behind going full speed and was launched head first into the boards. What followed was a blur. It is hard to describe the experience. Back board and ambulance, doctors and nurses, MRIs and CT scans, surgery and recovery, Family and friends, tears and joy, but the most amazing thing happened that day. I watched my son become a man. Over the years he had excelled at the game he loved. Countless hours in the gym, on the ice, in planes, and cars and buses, however all had lead to a series of disappointments. This game can be cruel. I watched him struggle with his confidence. Rage against the thought that maybe he had been wrong about his skill and speed. I watched him turn the corner and start towards his goal yet again the dream burning deep inside of him. Yet he had lost some of that swagger. He would give everything he had, yet he questioned if that was enough. Then in one moment his world changed. With one statement He has a loose fracture of his T6 vertebrae in addition his MRI shows blood in his spinal column that needs to be evacuated. I recommend that we perform a fusion of T4 to T8 and a laminectomy with evacuation of the hematoma. everything changed. For me, Hockey at that moment, had become a memory. All that mattered was that he would get well. We still had our boy. Even as I write this that brings a tear to my eye. Matthew however had a grander plan. First sitting up, then standing, the walking ,then stairs, then laps around the hospital ward. The Doctor had told him full recovery and over the next 5 months we watched him face each challenge with determination. We watched work through the pain. physiotherapy, weights, skating, running. Recovery at an almost unbelievable rate. As parents we all know that our children will grow up. We pray they realize their potential. We hope that in whatever they do, they strive to be better than even we dared hope, than even they dared to dream. That they truly realize what life is really about. They cherish the worrying of their Mom. The seek the company and love of those who really care for them. In one terrible moment Matt started a journey that would teach all this and more. You see since his injury he has laughed and smiled more. He has surrounded himself with people that love him. He has faced his hardship head on. He has worked hard to recover, hard for his grades, hard to get back to a game he loves. He recognized that fear must be faced. That courage is the decision to accept danger and control fear. He strapped on his equipment and confronted it head on. Today I look at my son and realize that moment has transformed my son, prepared him to face life. Today my son will step on the ice for a game of hockey. It is a remarkable statement. Every journey starts with love, courage and dreams. This is just one step towards his. I couldnt be more proud.
Posted on: Sun, 23 Nov 2014 22:34:55 +0000
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