New Photos

I have posted new photos of Matt's legs as they are healing. To view these photos you can click on http://mattslowerlimbs.blogspot.com/ to get to SGT. Matt Lammers, Photo Page .
Unfortunately, Matt was not able to get to New York to see his friend. Hopefully, John Blakesley will be able to get to Texas to see Matt.
Matt is back into regular therapies and has gotten a replacement leg for the one which he broke while visiting KC. He has not yet gotten his full legs. Soon, very soon...

Great Start to a New Year

Matt's family has enjoyed a wonderful visit with him and his wife and children over the holidays. Thanks for making the trip, you guys!
Matt got to thank Pat Kerr, State Veterans Ombudsman and Operation Outreach, Missouri Veterans Commission, in person for all that she has done for him and his family. Pat and some of her family were traveling through KC and took time to come to visit with Matt. Pat got to try out the chairlift for which she was instrumental in getting funding.

Pat and Matt meeting in person, 1/1/08

Matt will be traveling to New York to visit with an old friend, John Blakesley, who was with him in Iraq on Matt's first tour. Matt will then be returning to San Antonio for rehab and hopefully his next legs which will have knees.

Celebrate!

Matt is showing his arm to cousin, Travis.
Matt and Taena enjoy Christmas dinner together.
Opening stockings with nieces and nephews

Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas

Before leaving San Antonio for Olathe, Matt and his dad stepped out into the sunshine!
Matt has had some great accomplishments in these last few weeks. He is walking more each day. He is learning to drive. He will be getting fitted for his full legs shortly after the holidays!

Merry Christmas!

Home for the Holidays

It looks like Matt will make it home for the holidays. And it looks like Mom and Dad's house will be accessible thanks to a number of donations and some hard work. A huge thank you goes to Pat Kerr, State Veterans Ombudsman and Director of Operation Outreach Missouri Veterans Commission, Roberts Foundation and Flatwork, Keith Wells, Hermes Landscaping, Steve Danyluk of the Independence Fund, and more. We also want to thank the Mercy Medical Airlift/Angel Flight organization for providing air travel to Mom and Dad in order for them to go get Matt and bring him home. Hopefully, soon, there will be lots of pictures to share!

Giving Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.
We are so thankful for all of the prayers, support and good wishes from family and friends and from people we will never know. Thank you so much to those of you who have contributed gifts to Matt and his family as well. Please keep all of those families effected by war in your hearts...there has to be a better way. We are so very lucky to still have Matt. Our prayers are with those who will not be with the ones they love this holiday season. May you find peace and joy.

A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words

Good News

Matt has returned from a renewing trip to Florida. He went sailing in the mornings and snorkeling in the afternoons. He said he has made some wonderful new friends. Upon returning to the CFI today, Matt had his legs cast for his prosthetics. He may be up walking by tomorrow! His first legs will be "stubbies" which are short, kneeless and have backward facing feet for balance. Go! Matt!

Progress!

Matt has been working to learn to use his arm prosthesis and will be getting a new hand attachment which is a hook type devise. He is scheduled to get his first leg prostheses in about a month! Hopefully he will be up on his new feet very soon. In the meantime, Matt is going to get to go sailing in Florida. He will be learning to sail on a boat which has been adapted for people with a single arm. He will be traveling with a group of wounded soldiers from the CFI. Smooth sailing, soldiers!

Some News from One of Matt's Fellow Soldiers

Terry Clees was injured in the same explosion in which Matt was injured. I believe he was the driver of the Humvee. This infomation has come from Terry's step-mother, Catherine Clees. She requests that we continue to pray for Terry's recovery.

Terry suffered a severe traumatic brain injury, extensive injuries to his right arm, and various shrapnel wounds. He is currently in the Polytrauma Unit at the VA Hospital in Minneapolis MN. He has PT, OT, RT and speech therapy daily. He continues to make small improvements, and can walk with a walker and some assistance in physical therapy. Updates regarding his condition can be found on his MySpace at http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?useaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=201490650.

Time for a Little Pick Me Up

Click on the following link to check out a small surprise for Matt and his family that you can help us out with. http://surpriseformattandtessa.blogspot.com/No peeking, Matt, Tessa, Taena and Jaelen!

Barbara

Giving Back Just a Little

On October 5, Matt's family was able to give back just a little to the Holy Trinity community by selling Matt's famous tee shirts at the annual benefit auction and donating the proceeds to the school. Thanks, Pat Murrow for the wonderful idea! Thank you, CENTER SPORTS in Lenexa, for providing the shirts.

Parade of Heroes

Matt and his family enjoyed being in the Parade of Hereos. Matt was honored as the Grand Marshal. Thank you to Pat Sedlock, the Village West Rotary Club, the Shawnee Rotary Club and all of the people who made this possible. We do not know who all of you are but Matt and his family want to thank you, not only for the honor but for the opportunity to visit his home town for the first time since his injuries. Thank you, Kurt Mayo of Hilton Garden Inn for providing the lodging for Matt and his family. And, thank you, Dave Huston, for providing the airline tickets. Your generosity amazes us!





Thanks, Matt and Tessa, for all the work you did to get here!
Matt is preparing to enter the Classic Car in which he and his family road. Helping with these last minute preparations was Pat Sedlock, parade chairwoman, who helped every step of the way. Thank you to Wendell Maddox of United Way for the vehicle they provided Matt and his family while they were visiting Kansas City.

Following the parade a reception was held at Cheeseburger in Paradise. Thank you so much to Mac Taylor, who made this possible and donated the fun and food!

Here is a link to the story in the Kansas City Star.

http://www.kansascity.com/115/story/294283.html

Matt Turns Unfortunate Incident into a Learning Experience for Others

Matt had an unfortunate experience at Six Flags Fiesta in San Antonio. As a result, Matt is trying to educate the public and help prevent other wounded soldiers from being treated disrespectfully.
Try control/clicking on the following link for the video of the interview. You will have to listen to a short ad first, sorry.


http://www.woai.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoid=447826@video.woai.com&navCatId=5

Hugs All Around

Matt and his family arrived safely last night at the Kansas City airport. Lots of hugs were shared by all!

Welcome home, Lammers family! We love you.

Parade of Heroes

On Thursday, September 27, Matt will be the Grand Marshal for the the Parade of Heroes in K.C. KS! For more information about the parade visit the link provided by clicking on Parade of Heroes or use the following address. http://www.kansascitykansan.com/articles/2007/09/21/news/news2.txt


Parade of Heroes - Village West Parkway - Cabelas
When: Thursday, September 27th at 7:00 p.m.
What: "Parade of Heroes" sponsored by Village West Rotary Club
Where: Village West Parkway at the Legends, Beginning at Cabela's
Why: To salute and honor our military men and women who are or who have served in any of our country's wars
Beneficiary: Proceeds will go to the Disabled American Veterans

7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Also, Senator Bob Dole mentioned Matt in his address to congress yesterday. Visit C-span and search for Bob Dole, 9/19/07, to see the address. Senator Dole mentions Matt at about 28 minutes into his address.

At home and work

Matt is doing physical therapy everyday at the CFI. As he is getting stronger, he is more able to get in and out of his wheelchairs and play with his girls.

Some of physical therapy looks like a bit more fun! How about a game of dodge ball?


Tessa has done a remarkable job of making their new home very special for each of their daughters.




A special word of thanks to Matt's Aunt Marta for visiting Matt at a crucial time so that Tessa could come get the girls and for the great photos. You are the best!

Home at last!

The girls have all arrived, tired but full of smiles. Tessa managed the drive with the two girls and a loaded car all the way from Olathe. Hugs to all of you!

Yes!

Matt's girls are on the way to Texas! Tessa is bringing them home this weekend. Happy reunion little family! Also, Matt has been told that he indeed qualifies for the nerve reinnervation research project and he will eventually receive the newest in prosthetic arms. He has a lot of healing to do yet and will start with simpler prostheses in order to prepare his arm.

Family Reunion

Plans are in the works to get the SSG Matt Lammers family all together in their new home! Tessa will be coming to get the girls this week to bring them home to Texas. Hopefully by this time next week Matt, Tessa, Taena and Jaelen will get to be a family again after so many months of separation. We are all wishing you joy and peace, Lammers family!