positive momentum Matt
positive momentum Matt Sorisho looks ahead By Joyce Wiswell Six months after his life changed in an instant, Matt Sorisho is looking forward with an optimistic attitude as he turns 18 this month. The high school senior was paralyzed from the waist down after a hard crash on the boards during an ice hockey tournament on October 4. Sorisho is driving a car fitted with hand controls and constantly practices the very challenging task of taking his wheelchair apart, lifting it over his body and stowing it in the passenger seat. He’s looking forward to attending Michigan State University next fall, where he will live in the dorms. “They are really good at accommodating people with disabilities,” said his mother, Debbie Sorisho. In the more immediate future, Sorisho is hoping to find a summer job after he graduates from Detroit Catholic Central High School. The Sorisho house in Novi has undergone a big transformation to accommodate Matt’s wheelchair. “He can’t go upstairs to the bedrooms, so we made the dining room into his bedroom,” said Debbie. “He has a lift that goes to the finished basement.” His can-do attitude is helping Sorisho adjust well to his new reality, said his mother. “He’s always been strong-willed to a fault. As a little boy he was very determined and it was frustrating as a parent. It’s amazing to look back at that and now I see that it’s helping him now,” said Debbie. “We are so inspired and proud of how resilient he is. He says, ‘don’t help me unless I ask you to.’” It hasn’t all been positive. Sorisho has twice had to cope with blood clots, which required hospitalization in February. He is working hard to stay physically strong with the intense Barwis Method, which helps regain motor function through “neurological re-engineering.” “He is able to move his leg. We are really hopeful but pretty realistic too,” said Debbie. One of Sorisho’s biggest challenges is getting used to a lack of activity. “It’s very difficult for him to be around hockey right now. He’s been part of a team since he was 5 years old and he wants to be part of as team again. He is turning now to wheelchair basketball,” said Debbie. Matthew Sorisho is ready to drive into his future. Several fundraisers have been held to help pay for the house retrofit and Sorisho’s ongoing physical therapy. Those interested in making a donation can visit GiveForward.com and search for Matthew Sorisho. Matt’s family, which includes father Jim and brother Marc, is determined to not dwell on the incident that caused the injury. “It was an accident,” said Debbie, “and that’s how we feel about it.” Powerful degrees. Recognized excellence. Bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees at 6 local CMU centers and online. Earn a quality degree that can help get you promoted, update your skills, expand your horizons, and all with the quality and caring of Central Michigan University’s Global Campus in Metro Detroit. Choose from a wide variety of programs, all in adult-friendly formats, with local classes and online options. Master of Science in Administration degree One of CMU’s most versatile degrees, the MSA is offered in 11 concentrations to fit your career goals and help you reach such upper-level administrative positions as: • Human Resources Director • Health Care Administrator • Marketing Director • Philanthropic Gifts Officer • Corporate Executive • And more! CMU is an AA/EO institution (see cmich.edu/aaeo). cmich.edu/globalcampus 38843 1/14 Central Michigan University’s Global Campus in Metro Detroit. Get started today! Call 877-268-4636. cmich.edu/Detroit CMUglobal@cmich.edu Auburn Hills • Clinton Township • Dearborn • Southfield • Troy • Warren 42 CHALDEAN NEWS MAY 2014
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