There has been some new things on the layout of this website…  You can say that we had an ‘Extreme Website Makeover’!!!  The website still has all of the same features, but just has a different look.  Mr. Wes Minchew runs the webpage and has handled all of this.  He has put in a lot of time and work in making this website run successfully.  I am very thankful for the time and dedication that he and his wife, Debbi, have put in.  I also want to thank all of you for the comments.  They always put a smile on my face and give me that extra bit of motivation…  God Bless!

Matt C   

I recently was contacted by KATV and selected to be the Arkansan of the Week.  The Arkansan of the Week is a deal that KATV does each week profiling different individuals around the state.  I was very humbled to be both nominated and selected as the Arkansan of the Week.

I asked Scott Inman how he heard about my story.  He told me that he was contacted by an individual that heard me speak at a speaking engagement.  It is very humbling to feel that I have made a positive impact on someone’s life through my story and my public speaking.  I am also very thankful for the speaking opportunities that I have received from different organizations and individuals to share my story.  I look forward to conitnuing my public speaking.

Today I traveled to Little Rock, where I met and was interviewed by KATV anchor Scott Inman.  He is a great guy and asked me all sorts of questions about my life before my accident and my life after my accident.  I also got to tour the studio where the news takes place…  That place looked a lot different than what I am used to seeing during the newscasts.  The interview will air on the 5:00 news this Friday.  It will also be posted on KATV’s website (www.katv.com) under the news section (Arkansan of the Week).  Be sure to check it out if you get a chance.  Thanks a lot and God Bless!!!

Matt C

STORY LINK: http://www.katv.com/news/stories/0508/523285.html

This past weekend McGehee School’s East Lab hosted the 2008 Matt Courson Softball Tournament.  The tournament consisted of ten co-ed teams.  It started at 8 am Saturday morning and finished up around 10 that night.  The tournaments purpose was to raise funds to get a new computer where I can update my webpage better with the videos.  The tournament was a great experience.  Both of my brothers played in the tournament, as did a lot of my friends.  I also saw some of my old friends that I haven’t seen in years.  Everyone that I talked to the next day complained of being extremely sore.  I didn’t get sore…  Just sunburned!  I want to send a big thank you to the tournament director Mrs. Brandi Anthony and the East Lab students of McGehee High School for all of the work that they put in.  I also want to thank all of the players, umpires, concession workers, and other volunteers who gave up their time to come help out.  These people put in a lot of time and effort in to make this tournament a success and I am very thankful for their support.  There are a lot of good images from the tournament in my photos (Click on the link).    This weekend was truly remarkable and it was a great experience.  I want to continue to thank you for all of the thoughts, prayers, and support.  You guys keep me going…  God Bless! 

Matt C

To view the pictures, click on the following link:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattcourson/sets/72157605007441526/.

I have been extremely busy lately finishing up the school semester  I have been preparing for my finals… Trust me, I will be happy when they are over!  I have enjoyed all of my classes…  I am taking a Presidential Election class, which is very neat with the upcoming election.  It is one of my favorite classes. My professor, Ann Clemmer (www.annclemmer.com), is also running for the State Represenative seat in District 29 in Saline County.  We have created a neat friendship and it has been fun following her progress as well.  She is a really nice lady and if you are in District 29, get out and vote… 

I have recently ordered a new wheelchair.  This wheelchair will be about 8-9 lbs. lighter than the chair that I have now.  The whole chair is made of titanium and will be very light, but also durable.  I really don’t remember going through the process of ordering my first chair.  There are a lot of steps that take place in this process such as taking measurments, picking out different accessories, and determing what kind of chair you want.  It is defitnely a lot more complicated than just two wheels and a seat. 

This weekend is going to be a special weekend.  McGehee School’s East Lab is putting together a benefit softball tournament to raise money.  This tournament will be held at the baseball park in McGehee.  It supposedly is going to be an all day event lasting last from 7 a.m. to around midnight.  If you don’t have any plans on Saturday, come out and enjoy the tournament with me.  There will also be some really cool shirts on sale.  Both of my brothers are coming home to participate, so I might even do a little ’sideline coaching’ or a better clarification would be ’sideline criticizing’.  

I have some new speaking engagements lined up for the upcoming months.  I am speaking at an insurance claims conference in Hot Springs, AR in June.  I am also going to be flying home to Springdale, AR in July from Baltimore (where I will be performing therapy) for another speaking engagement.  I am looking forward to sharing my story and message to these groups.  I take great pride in speaking and showing that through hard work, determination, and incredible faith… Nothing Is Impossible.

I want to thank all of you for your thoughts, prayers, and support.  You guys continue to be my rock and motivate me to be the best that I can be.  Please remember the thousands of others out there that are in difficult situations and going through tough times.  Thanks again for everything… God Bless!!!

 Matt C