Dear Falcon Families,
I would like to take this time to thank all the Falcon families who have reached out to Steve and I and/or directly to Matt, Debbie and Jim with their thoughts, prayers, words of comfort and support, and donations. We are so touched, grateful, and strengthened by your words and deeds! Hockey families have the biggest hearts! Thank you to all the Falcon players who were able to sign the banner for Matt.

We gave it to him when we last visited him the weekend of Nov. 1. He was so very touched and happy to see so many signatures of players cheering him on in his recovery. He has received many cards, letters and other hockey related items but nothing with so many well wishes in one place! I have attached a picture of Matt and Andrew (Squirt Bronze) with the signed banner. (BELOW)

It’s hard to believe it has been 6 weeks since Matt was injured. He has had some ups and downs but is generally in very good spirits. He has worked very hard at rehab each and very day, surpassing what is asked of him. As his aunt and uncle we are so impressed and humbled by his determination, courage and maturity. He has faced this life changing event head on. He looks for and celebrates the victories, big or small, of each day. He is so excited to be going home on Nov. 21st. The home renovations are in the final stages and his new living space will be completed in time for his homecoming. He will continue his rehab on an out-patient basis and will start getting back to school and a “new normal” routine.

He had his first outing just this past Wednesday night when he joined his Catholic Central hockey team for their pre-season dinner. His Varsity team has named him their co-captain and presented him with his jersey at their dinner. He was overcome with emotion but very proud! He plans to be at as many games as possible. The team celebrated Matt being well enough to be out sharing dinner with them and the news he received the day before. Matt has been accepted to Michigan State. It was always his school of first choice. He made a point of adding this life changing event to his admission essay, something he wanted to do from the earliest days of this journey while he was still in the ICU. He will pursue his academic goals as vigorously as he pursued his dream of playing Junior hockey before attending Michigan State to play hockey.

Matt is also planning on being at attendance at a major fundraiser hosted by Catholic Central HS and Hockey Has Heart, “A Benefit For Matt On Center Ice”, Wednesday, Nov. 20th, at Compuware Arena in Plymouth, MI. For more information, you can visit http://BidPal.net/Matt18 or http://hockeyhasheart.com. Matt can also be followed on his webpage on Facebook at “Sor18ho” - his number “18” is embedded into his last name.

My brother-in-law was interviewed by a local Detroit news station a few weeks ago and he said, “He’s still on a road, he’s just on a different one,” his dad told me. “His path turned a bit, but he’s still going to be there. It’s the same Matt, he’s just going to get around differently.”

Once again with gratitude,
Shari and Steve Munro and family