Hi everyone,
Went to the Giger MD company in Switzerland where we purchased the medical exercise device I use at home for my rehabilitation therapy.
Excellent people and so glad I was able to make the trip to see them. They showed me how to use the machine to work different parts of my body, how to strap my legs in and position my body correctly.
It is going to take a lot more time each day to use the machine to the full potential, however it will work different parts of my body and be beneficial to my overall physical and neurological rehabilitation.
Kind thanks to all the staff at Giger MD
Maulla Matt Battista
Stem cell collection from Matt’s Bone Marrow was successfully injected back into Matt and he has recovered well. Elyse was there throughout the whole procedure, she was a trooper as she hates needles and almost passed out.
Matt when rested will make the trip to Switzerland to talk with Giger MD technicians on how to improve his therapy with the machine he has at home. Increasing his home treatment abd exercise regime will be beneficial to his neurological rehabilitation.
Weather was -2 degrees Saturday morning…so a little chilly but warmed up during the day to 12 degrees and sunny.
As volcanic ash from an eruption in Iceland continues to play havoc with air travel for the 3rd day, we hope it will not delay their flight home. They are expected to leave Frankfurt on Monday the 26th April.
Matt says…G’day to all his supporters and some pictures are on the way.
Monday 12th Matt his wife Elyse and best mate Aurelio left Perth WA to Cologne Germany. To ensure Matt could rest their friend Lisa MacLean arranged an overnight stop in Singapore along with transportation.
Departure from Singapore was delayed due to weather and left 2 hours late arriving in Frankfurt around 2pm Perth time Wednesday. The trip was smooth and they were greeted here by another friend Christiane Bumbke who has arranged accommodation with the Hilton Cologne.
Weather is some 9 degrees so hope they packed winter woolies, 7 day forecast looks fine reaching a top of 14 degrees.
Family will be in contact via Skype once the group have settled into hotel. Matt and Elyse check in each night to chat to their kids Jett and Tiah and the rest of the Battista and Bell clan.
Stem cell therapy begins tomorrow 14th April at Xcell-center More updates as and when available.
Thanks to everyone involved,
Myra
Monday 12th Matt and his wife Elyse with friend Aurelio leave for the second round of Stem Cell.
They will be gone for 2 weeks and will keep in touch with family and friends on Skype and Facebook.
All of us here at Maulla Inc wish them well and look forward to updates along the way.
Speaking with Matt I asked him how he feels about it all and he said:
“I must keep going for my family and I will never give up hope, I know everyone in this situation would love to walk again, but believe me if I can get bladder or bowel control back that will be like receiving a million dollars”.
To everyone involved in assisting me in my disability I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. Without your generosity none of this would be possible.
While we are away my wife Elyse will keep the communications going via Skype and Facebook Matt Battista Group…why not join.
Until we return Ciao
Matt “Maulla” Battista
Hi everyone,
Sorry for the longtime no hear but with working, specialist visits, daily physical training, physiotherapy and spending quality time with the family I am shattered.
I have also been sorting out Paul Humberston’s (Humbo) race bikes for the new season although this has taken a while as I have continued problems with my shoulder that was reconstructed last year.
Last Friday I had an MRI and after a visit to the specialist on Monday it appears I have a bad fracture in the humorous part of my shoulder on the top. Not entirely sure how this has happened but think it’s a mix of using my shoulders all the time (which is a must when in a wheelchair) and the medication I’m on for the bone build up in my hips (Heterotopic Ossification)which softens my whole skeletal making my bones brittle. Either way it’s been making life difficult and putting me in a hole at times, but fingers crossed it will all be good in the end.
Apart from that I have also been on my mate Matt’s jet ski which was a blast and it has some serious horse power which of course I love. It definately made me feel like I was on my Superbike again which I pray I will be one day.
My wife Elyse and the kids are good and we are preparing for our son Jett’s birthday, our daughter Tiah (she’s 3) is still a lunatic which I love she makes me laugh every day. Although life in this situation is hard and my heart is still broken I am fortunate to have a wonderful family and great friends who keep me focused. I try to make each day with them count.
With the aid of the Trust and fundraising committee I am off to Germany next month for 2nd round of Stem Cell treatment, also hope to get to Switzerland to meet up with the Giger MD staff to discuss exercise routines and other benefits from the machine I use diligently at home every evening.
We head off 12th April and our best friend Aurelio has arranged to come along to assist and support us on this journey. We will have the laptop with us and attempt to send updates via facebook and the website.
Take care everyone and chat ya soon.
Ciao
Maulla
