NEW -- First Annual "Gotz Strength" Softball Tournament

Thanks to the efforts of Gary Slaght, Mike's freind Joe's dad and good freind as well, there is a 2 day benefit softball tounament scheduled for July 11 - 12th !! Gary has spent months getting this organized mostly on his own, and it has finally become official. There are several teams entered and will be other fundraising things at the games like food, T-shirts, etc., Please see the Event Post on the side here. For all you local freinds, and anyone else who can, please save one of both of these dates. We want to get huge crowds and cheer on Miks's old team!!!!!

On another note.. Joe took the van last night with Mike to his old team's first softball game! They had a banner set up with "Gotz Strength" and some of the guys wore Mike's Jersey in tribute. Mike had a great time!!!

Thank's to Joe for taking Mike!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bigred

Mike has been home and really gaining independance. He is able to get his own lunch (today was the first time!) and is doing great since his surgery with just a few bumps! He went to his first Orioles game of the season on opening day and had a great time ( The O's beat the Yankees too!). Hopefully with the warmer weather coming up, he'll be able to get outside and enjoy all his newly rigged "toys"-target shooting and fishing!

The golf tournament is coming up soon!!! Please register today as the girls have been putting together the teams. We can't wait to see eveyone on May 2nd!

-Kim

Mom

Mom had her check up today after her surgery and was told that the pathology report came back negative for Cancer! She is healing well and resting at home for the next several weeks.

Just a reminder that the Golf Tournamnet is LESS THAN ONE MONTH AWAY! Please go to the new website set up by Shannon and register today! Thhis year is going to be even better than last year and we're so excited to see the turnout! Also, if you would like to be a sponsor or know someone who would, contact Crystal Connelly (contact info to the right and on the golf tournament site) and sign up!

-Kim

Update

Mike has been home almost a week now and has been healing nicely. He had a visiting nurse come by and check everything it things look good. His sacral wound looks really good and is shrinking a little, which is awesome. He has really been comfortable being able to wear regular boxers and all and seems to just be a lot more up beat. He can't start therapy until next week so he has been home alone this week with people checking in on him every few hours. He is adjusting well and doing fine on his own for these short periods of time. I think he likes being independent (a little at a time) He seems really proud of t he fact that he can manage on his own for a bit.

Well, that's the last hurdle for now. Next comes the DORS Program for learning a new trade, which is the pathway to getting his drivers license and the Van further modified for him for free by the State. It looks like he has this all set up. His former boss told me they may try to set up a position for him so he can work in the office reading and working on plans / blueprints for fire alarm systems, which became his specialty before he got hurt. He used to install and wire them, now he might be able to do the other side of that. If that works out, he can show the County/State he has a job waiting for him and that could expedite things for him. AND he wouldn't have to be retrained in some other profession.

I will keep you all up to date as these things progress.

Red