A lot has happened since Matt came home from Sunnyview Rehab.
Eventually, I will write about all this in my book, but until then, let me briefly highlight his remarkable progress since 2018.
In July 2022, Matt was invited to "student teach" a computer engineering class at his alma mater, the University at Buffalo. It was a quick scramble to find an apartment, pack and ship belongings, learn public transportation and the campus shuttle system, locate the class building and room, and be ready to go in five weeks. I took the lead on most activities and ensured he was well-prepared. For me, the first time Matt took the city bus by himself was reminiscent of his first day of Kindergarten. This teaching opportunity lasted one academic year.
Matt has stayed in Buffalo, where he lives independently, managing most of his affairs with occasional feedback from his parents.
From September 2023 through Spring 2024, Matt applied to many colleges and participated in 15-first round job interviews and two onsite full-day college interviews. He competed against 400-500 other applicants but did not land one of the coveted job positions.
A big unknown in Matt's life was whether he could ever drive again. He has lost a pie-shaped wedge of his right visual field secondary to his brain injury. Finally, the optician gave him medical clearance, and in October 2023, a driving assessment at Sunnyview Inpatient Hospital was approved. He had seven sessions there and practiced driving with me in Saratoga Springs for 6 weeks (which was sometimes scary) before returning to Buffalo. There, he took ~10 private lessons. Getting enough practice under his belt took a while because he lacked a car or person to accompany him.
In September 2024, he passed his road test and bought a new Prius in October. Since then, he and I have taken a 1,100-mile road trip to Arlington, VA, and he has driven from Buffalo to home thrice. And now, Matt is helping to drive a young mother from his apartment complex and her 2-3-year-old son to childcare.
From September 2024 to the present, he has applied to 70+ job postings and has had 4-first round interviews. As the Spring semester progresses, Matt anticipates he will have more interviews and, fingers-crossed, will get a job this time.
Matt has accomplished so much and shows no signs of slowing down.
Hard work and perseverance pay off.