I wanted to write a special post about all of the friends that I have in my life.  I have been very blessed in my lifetime to have some of the best people in the world be apart of my life.  I have learned in the past few years that you don’t know how good a friend is until adversity creeps into your life and there is always someone there to help you through it.  I have confronted adversity, and got through it with the help of some great friends and I will always be thankful for my friends. 

I think back to the days in the hospital after my accident when my friends would walk into that hospital room and tell me face to face, how we are going to get through this together.  We did get through this together and those friends are still by my side and I will always be grateful for them.  I am also blessed to continuously add more friends to my life.  Here in Baltimore, I have had the opportunity to add new friends to my inner circle.  These new friends are tremendous individuals who I know that I can count on.  I know God had a plan when I moved to Baltimore and his plan consisted of placing these people in my life.  I thank God everyday for adding these people to my life.

After my accident, when I was in the hospital, it troubled me to see other patients go through adversity without the help of friends.  It made me realize how lucky I was to have great friends by my side.  I have learned that the most prized possesions in my life are great friends.  I hope all of you will cherish your friends and always be thankful for what they bring to your life.  I hope all of you will always hold your friends close, and never let them go!!

God Bless,

Matt C

This past Saturday, I had the privledge to speak to over 1,000 high school students at the UMBC junior day.  The students were accompanied by there parents and there was standing room only.  I shared my story and experiences with the students.  I challenged the students to set their goals high and to always strive to be the best in everything that they do.  It was an honor to be able to share my story with the students.  It was a very rewarding experience.  I look forward to continuing to share my message more in the future.  God Bless!

Matt C

It has come to my attention that I haven’t posted here in awhile to give you guys an update on what is going on.  Things have been pretty hectic lately with school.  It is starting to slow down, which is great.  I have been getting out in the community, which is a lot of fun.  Not too long ago I had the opportunity to read a book to a first grade class here in the inner city of Baltimore.  That was a lot of fun and very rewarding.  I have also been working out every single day and my body feels like it is in great shape.  I am working out in my gym and doing upper and lower body work.  My legs are getting stronger, as is my core.  My body feels terrific!! 

I will be coming home to Arkansas in a couple of days for a visit.  I am excited to come home and see my family and friends.  We have a lot of things planned and I am excited to come home and see everyone…  I miss you guys a lot and can’t wait to see all of you!

I will be sure to post a lot more about what all is going on.  Thanks a lot for all of your thoughts, prayers, and support… God Bless!

Matt C

I want to wish all of you a Happy Valentines Day.  I’ve had a great Valentines weekend and hope all of you have as well.  I was surprised just the other day to receive a package from my little ‘valentine’ Sarah from New Jersey.  Sarah sent me a package full of sugar cookies and a sweet little card telling me to get well soon.  I have posted a picture of the Sarah and the card below, but not of the cookies, as they are all gone.  This brightened up my day and put a big smile on my face.  She is the sweetest little girl and I am blessed to have her in my life.  I wanted to share this with all of you.  Below is Sarah and the card.  God Bless!!!

It has been a very unique past week here in Baltimore.  I have been hoarded up in my apartment due to blizzard-like conditions.  This past weekend we got close to 30 inches of snow.  Being from the south, this was not what I am used to.  My mother got to experience the blizzard with me and she even braved to go outside and wade through the snow.  She is a lot tougher than me… I stayed on the couch. My mother flew out this afternoon to St. Louis and eventually on to Little Rock.  It was important for her to leave because we are expecting 14-20 more inches of snow here tomorrow.  I hope someone is having sunshine because we don’t have it here.  Anyway, with school closed for the week and no therapy, I guess I will stay hoarded in my apartment.  I hope all of you are having much better weather.  Thanks for all of the support… God Bless!

Matt C

These past few weeks I have been under the weather.  I don’t usually get sick very much, but this time it hit me pretty hard.  I was out of school, therapy, and my daily routine for about three weeks.  I finally feel like I am back to 100%. 

Being sick, it really hit me hard because I wasn’t able to exercise.  Exercise is a huge part of my life.  My exercise program consists of several parts.  First and foremost, I am exercising to progress into walking.  This is very streneous, but very rewarding.  I also exercise other parts of my body to maintain a healthy lifestyle.  Being healthy is extremely important to all of us.  It is what keeps us going.  I challenge all of you to maintain a healthy lifestyle and exercise right along with me as a team.  Whenever I exercise, I always think of the people back home who have been by my side.  You guys give me the strength and determination to take that extra step whenever I feel weak.  I hope that I motivate you guys the same way.

I look forward to a new start to 2010.  After getting well, I can’t wait to get back to working out and defying the impossible.  I am very thankful for all of the support you guys have provided me, while being under the weather.  I thank God everyday for providing such great people in my life.  Again, thank you so much for all of the thoughts, prayers, and support.  God Bless!!!

Matt C